Norman,
Your answer highlights the main problem: People are not aware of what's going on. Have you read the memo about accellerated command? (which has now strangely disappeared from the admin section)
If it were as you say just offering command on a first come first serve basis then fine, nothing wrong. The problem is, they couldn't fill the Madrid base because of the lower T&C's. So their answer was to offer accelerated command to whoever would accept this. the memo then said: IF YOU DO NOT ACCEPT THIS WE WILL HAVE TO HIRE DEC's. THAT is blackmail in my opinion.