This study was the first in a series of investigations designed to examine techniques purporting to enhance the effectiveness of human memory. The utility of a simple pegword mnemonic for Army enlisted personnel, representing three levels of general technical ability, was examined. Half of each ability group was instructed in use of a rhyme pegword mnemonic and half served as a control group. Response items were rated in terms of their potential for evoking memory images. It was found that initial acquisition was a function of the imagery level of the response items, as well as a positive function of the general technical ability level of the personnel. It was also found that only the high general technical ability group was able to employ the mnemonic to advantage. The final recall test indicated a precipitous lose of information across lists for all conditions. (Author/RD)