The Army wants soldiers to stop wasting time on the online classes it assigned them

This is a example of piss poor leadership. First, I totally agree they are a waist of time.
BUT, this is the kind of stuff the SGMofArmy needs to run behind the scene with someone that can officially stop it. For him to say “just don’t do it” is some half assed Spc4 reply that is going nowhere so long as the training is Mandatory. He knows better than this.
Don’t even get me started at the complete Lost In the Woods reply from the Chief of Staff (a GO) that is surprised it is being done at all. Where has this guy been? It is again, mandatory and tracked down to individual level.
Remove the requirement the proper way or STFU.

Since both the CSA and the SMA think it's a waste of time, issue the ALARACT. It's incumbent on them, not the actual leadership below them.

I was the Manager of Training of a large corporation. We built courses to provide training necessary to do the job. We also provided programs that were not necessary but provided opportunities for growth. Those programs were considered optional. No one ever suggested that mandatory programs shouldn't be taken. If, in fact, they are not needed to perform the job they should be optional not mandatory. This determination should be made and labeled accordingly rather than have a member of management suggest mandatory courses should not be taken.