Is risk aversion/mitigation getting out of control?

One of the most frustrating things I see in today's military is this constant stench of avoiding any risks. If you want to do anything outside the box, it requires and act of God. This week our TM decided on cutting work early and heading out for a run to the lake, and going for a swim. We asked the CMDR and he simply said "have fun". I respect the fact he trust us to bring a small medic pac, hydration sources, and use sound judgment when swimming. Whats more, is it speaks to his ability to make decisions on the fly, improvise, think outside the norms, and trust our ability to be responsible. This rant is not directed at my unit at all, but some of the other more "conventional " units ive seen in my career

The redundant T.r.i.p.s you fill out before leave even if your driving to a local airport to catch a flight, risk assessment to take a vehicle from the Motorpool to HQ, pt belts when cutting grass in mid day all serve very little in practical sense, but are done non the less to check the block and cover ones ass. This has breed, in my opinion, a culture of scared leadership.

The point im trying to drive home is that mitigating unnecessary risks is a sound approach no one will question. However, it seems most of these layers of red tape are emplaced not for any actual risk mitigation other than leaving a paper trail. You want to mitigate risk? Have joe mow the grass for pt with his top off so doesn't collapse in the middle of the day in ft. Hood. He will break a nice sweat too. But i can already see the "but what if a.... Cuts his little arm" shpeel coming.