Institutional Inertia or Toxic Leaders, which is doing more damage to the DoD?

I agree with SFC Gannon. I had one of those toxic leaders and he didn't last long in his command. Higher got tired and they got rid of him.

Chief I think a toxic leader can kill any unit including a poor performing one. A good leader can also by not hold the standards thinking everyone will do the right thing. I believe over time a toxic leader will do more damage as good leaders will see their shortfalls and correct their actions.

Yes absolutely. It fosters a bad command climate. This gets filtered down to the rest and can cause other potential problems and morale issues. It will cause good people to stop caring and want to leave. It effects every function of the unit.

I am a contractor for a unit that has a stellar reputation for providing top quality virtual simulation exercises for the DOD. This unit has the worst morale I have ever experienced. Our issues are that the squadron commander was fired for undisclosed reasons. We have GS-13 staff that have no problem usurping the authority of the active duty. The AD AF personnel are not happy and the attitudes get filtered to the contractor staff which also is in shambles. a lot of people put up with it to a certain point with the bad economy, but at some point people have had enough. The mission succeeds for now but we have already lost 4 highly trained engineers who had many years of service in the building. Eventually as more people leave it will not function as well as it did and eventually not provide the service it once did. The contractors are quitting and the AD are just biding time until their next PCS.

Yes I do believe a good personal flush and getting rid of the bad apples and put in place a better commander that will lead the organization and bring back the team spirit the place can turn around. Otherwise it might as well fall into a sink hole.