Reduce federally mandated training from 1 to 3 years 

I spent about 7.5 years in the Forest Service as a Physical Science Technician in a research lab and it seemed we were always taking some federally mandated training. Every year it was the same thing and it was enough to drive a lot of new personnel away. Is there a possibility this headache could be changed to every three years, so they could get on with their jobs? It’s enough to drive you stark raving mad, especially when you get to the point of printing your certificate and the bloody thing won’t work. If you don’t get it done before a certain time, they’ll hold up your paycheck, which adds to the stress. This is designed by those who sit at a desk all day, but for those who have to work out in the field, it can be a nightmare, especially during fire season (for those on fire assignments). Instead of online tests, why not have everybody gathered, tell them what they need to know, have them sign the muster sheet and be done with it. Technology has its uses, but sometimes it can be a genuine pain in the rump.

A new requirement to become Commander in Chief 

Having the offspring of power serve their country in uniform is something the British nobility has done for hundreds of years and in fact royalty led their armed forces into battle. As a Veteran of Military service and the son of two Veterans, I believe the Commander in Chief is a position that should be held by someone who has served a minimum of four years active duty in any branch of our Military service and I don’t mean ducking into the National Guard to avoid being drafted. If you are going to lead troops, you should at very least have been one of the troops. We should also rename the Department of Defense the War Department, like it was by the end of WW2.

“Anyone who has ever looked into the glazed eyes of a soldier dying on the battlefield will think hard before starting a war.” Chancellor Karl Otto Von Bismarck