I have been in your situation(s) and of course you talk to each other. But your situation isn't new and unheard of. Many larger companies suffer this mumbling syndrome, whether civil or civil/mil mixed.
Everyone has an opinion and, many times, those opinions don't matter to the management. Look at the British armed forces in general, let alone this small part which is the Ascent training system.
Gagging orders don't stop talking, but they generally stop blabbing to the press. Whoever is at the top, be they Military or civil, doesn't want this story going to the press in a non-spindoctored, uncontrolled fashion.
Again. Wittering on here won't get it changed. A more formal route is needed. Such as an FOI request...