The study tested the 2X2 model of the Achievement Goal Orientation (AGO) theory in a military technical training environment while using the Air Force Officers Qualifying Test's academic aptitude score to control for the differences in the students' academic aptitude. The study method was quantitative and the design was correlational. Specifically, a stepwise regression analysis was used on a 60-student sample to determine whether goal orientation theory could predict student success in the Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM) Initial Skills Training (IST) course taught by the 392d Training Squadron (TRS) at Vandenberg Air Force Base, CA. The stepwise regression was used to address the 11 research questions and hypotheses that were the focus of the research. Controlling for academic aptitude allowed the research to focus more clearly on the specific variance associated with AGO. Four of the 11 null hypotheses could not be rejected. The study found that as the course material became more demanding the achievement goal orientations, specifically the maladaptive mastery avoid goal orientation, which commonly creates a negative effect on performance, began to emerge in response to the added stress and pressure of the demanding course. The study provided insight to the training at the 392d TRS but the generalization to the larger academic community is uncertain because the course was very specific and the results were mixed. [The dissertation citations contained here are published with the permission of ProQuest LLC. Further reproduction is prohibited without permission. Copies of dissertations may be obtained by Telephone (800) 1-800-521-0600. Web page: http://www.proquest.com/en-US/products/dissertations/individuals.shtml.]