The United States Army, confronted with sophisticated defense machinery and entry level soldiers with low educational backgrounds, selected a systems approach to training that was developed in 1975 by Florida State University. Instructional Systems Development (IDS), a five-phase process encompassing the entire educational environment, is specifically oriented towards the use of behavioral/performance objectives and criterion-referenced tests. The phases of ISD are analysis, design, development, implementation, evaluation, and control. The instructional design phase consists of: (1) a description of the proposed student target population; (2) lists of skills and knowledge required to perform each of the critical tasks; (3) complete behavioral objectives; and (4) criterion-referenced test items. An instructional sequence is developed, using a review of existing lesson materials as background. Before the curriculum is implemented all instructors are taught how to function within an objective-oriented, criterion-referenced system. Because of continuous turnover of personnel in the Army, this training is an ongoing process. Instructor performance is monitored to make sure that lesson information is being taught and to evaluate teacher qualities and techniques. Student performance is measured both in class and on the job after graduation. The student, learning materials, and instructor data is collected, assessed, and channeled back into the system to revise and improve the effectiveness of the course. A flow chart demonstrating objectives and activities in all phases of the course is appended. (JD)