There are two main ways that a whistleblower can sound the alarm. Their outcomes can be very different.
Source: How Contractor Fraud Is Reported Shouldn’t Affect How It Gets Investigated
WTF – New VA Whistleblower Protection Office Is Under Investigation for Retaliating Against Whistleblowers – Defense One
“You don’t want to come forward,” one whistleblower said. “People are afraid.” Source: New VA Whistleblower