In case you missed it, one of the recent memos from Secretary of War Pete Hegseth is striking a chord across government: reducing mandatory training requirements.
Whether it’s annual cybersecurity refreshers, CUI modules, or Privacy Act training, the burden of mandatory courses can make “checking the box” feel like a full-time job. Hegseth’s memo hints at a shift: fewer blanket requirements, more focus on what really matters—mission readiness and the warfighter.
For those not fluent in the alphabet soup of government markings, Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) is a relatively new framework meant to streamline designations like “For Official Use Only.” But if you’ve ever been confused by CUI, you’re in good company—most of the national security workforce feels the same.
Cutting back on mandatory training doesn’t mean eliminating education altogether. Ideally, it means making it smarter—more targeted, relevant, and actionable. I’m passionate about good training—insider threat awareness, security briefings that actually resonate, not just regurgitate. If the new memo leads to more effective, less repetitive learning, that’s a win in my book.
In a season of shutdowns and slowdowns, I’ll take the good news where I can get it. Smarter training for a smarter workforce? Yes, please.
