The primary reason the military uses a hierarchical organizational structure is so that large numbers of people can be engaged quickly and simultaneously to effectively accomplish a mission. This convention depends entirely on the deliberate placement of effective leaders at all levels. A toxic leader not only destroys the effectiveness of those people and organizations under his direct charge, but has the potential of negatively affecting those around him as well. Toxic leaders often challenge allegations, attack the credibility of whistleblowers, and take retaliatory actions against them to minimize potential exposure of their misconduct. Further, having to choose between staying loyal to the chain of command, or to fellow Soldiers, is especially troublesome for everyone involved. The collateral effects of a toxic leadership environment can quickly snowball, affecting a much larger community than just the whistleblower's organization. While it is the moral obligation of every Soldier to report unethical behavior, the repercussions of whistle blowing in a toxic leadership environment can create an ethical dilemma.

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