Correspondence course training (CCT) systems, primarily in the military and government sectors, were surveyed to identify their critical problems. Other study objectives were to formulate the basic design of a CCT system to solve these problems and identify course completion factors and trends in systems operations. Seventeen CCT organizations were surveyed, including eight in the Navy or Marine Corps and nine in the other military services, Department of Defense, other governmental agencies, and the civilian sector. The survey instruments were a questionnaire and structured interview. The most important findings were that course completion rates ranged from the first to fourth quartile and that noncompletion was the most critical problem. Twenty-four factors affecting course completion rates were identified, and current trends in CCT system operations were noted. Relevant literature was reviewed to verify the common conception that the overwhelming problem of CCT is course noncompletion. It was concluded that the primary cause of attrition in CCT is the students' inability to organize effectively and conduct the information processing necessary to complete the course. Recommendations were inclusion of the course completion factors in CCT and refinement, augmentation, and validation of these factors. (YLB)