Why are most cop and military characters utterly unprofessional and insubordinate? Because you came to see character drama, so you're going to get character drama.

That is actually realistic. Just read war memories and archive documents of WW2 (modern war probably not much different but just are too close to tell the truth). Generals acting in contradictions to orders from HQ was nothing special. In some situations military regulations were more ignored then followed, even if following them was just common sense. Officer killing each other or subordinates because of foul mood was nothing out of ordinary. Rampant defections in some situations/periods.