Well, being a flatwater paddler morphing into an ocean paddler I think it is very important to maintain technique in all circumstances. I am trying to teach myself to maintain the stroke whilst I am being chucked around in the ocean. I am definately improving by sticking with the stroke and learning to use it under duress.
Muscle it as you described can be just an extra effort put into the same stroke.
Much more accomplished paddlers than I can tell you if I am on the right track!

I know the key is sticking to technique for sure. Im really just seeing if people stray from that when it feels like you need to or if its just me being weak at sticking to whats right?

You could always add in some extra time on the water after your normal training to concentrate on technique. That way you can naturally get back into doing technique when you've already been pushing it and lost it.

I guess when I say “muscle” I mean poor technique. The urge really only strikes for me when the water is rough and its hard to get in a rhythm.

It's okay to get away from it in certain situations as I know I do sometimes, but once you've gotten clear and able to get into rhythm you should get back into technique.

Sometimes after our regular practice sprints/runs, we put in an extra mile (or two) to work strictly on technique. Most of the time it's just the half mile or so back to where we bring our canoes in that we tend do it.
Yes, the E7 reference is part of having been in the military.

It all goes together, right? Like Rambo says, look at the finish of the race. The top guys just plow right on through w/ perfect technique, balance and power. I don't think there's ever a time where you should purposefully disregard proper technique.

I remember discussing that with Karel Senior.
Especially his skill to paddle without using the rudder and steering effectively with paddle strokes and weight shifts is something that sets Karel apart, according to his father.
But: " without the strength, you can't do it "; Karel still wins because his conditioning is the best.
Junior himself says that for short races up to around an hour and in races that have 'Hawaii Kai' conditions = medium waves, regular, wind from the back, he cannot afford a single mistake and has to paddle highest intensity, high stroke rate, all the time, because other top paddlers are close in their skill and can compensate with their strength.
Top paddlers that have competed against Karel in the Kaiwi channel race say that Karel paddles with much higher intensity then in that clip.
Technique training: is usually done at the beginning of a training session after warm up because your nervous system is not fatigued.
Using the wave energy properly is what most of us lack most, as you posted above.

"Technique training: is usually done at the beginning of a training session after warm up because your nervous system is not fatigued."
I am under the impression that technique training/drills should also be done after your workouts when nervous system is fatigued to maintain efficiency in late race conditions.

Because the extra drag from the agitated water is gone in the flats.
I like to train technique in the flats; this year I try to train technique in the open ocean - my impression so far: doing both regularly and separately is probably best.

Regarding technique, just check out the girls who have finally figured it out and have perfected their stroke. They are now up there at the middle of the pack and beating a lot of the guys and their muscle stroke.
On the other hand, regarding muscle, I lend my canoe to Russ Francis, who hasn't paddled for years (since high school), and man he can keep up with the surfskis. Of course, he's only good for half an hour or so, but every stroke is a beeg one and the canoe really jumps ahead. So go figure?