They're not lawful orders because they're illegal and I have no authority to order someone to do something that isn't... lawful. Did you bother to read the MCM? It's spelled out quite clearly. This is not a difficult concept, but I do sense your frustration.
Instead of continuing down this rabbit hole, you might consider the possibility that someone who has been doing this for 31+ years, and has had several formal schools taught by real live JAGs covering this material, and have had the responsibility of actually wielding Art. 15 authority, just might have a better working knowledge of this material than a guy on his first shore tour biding his time until his MSR is up. Just a thought.