The potential of distance learning (DL) to expedite the U.S. Army's efforts to redress personnel shortages in Army enlisted occupations was studied by evaluating how DL-based training strategies might affect skill shortages in the following occupations: helicopter repairer; electronic switching system operator; microwave systems operator/maintainer; and signal support systems specialist. The criteria used to assess the effectiveness of DL-based training strategies were changes in shortages and changes in costs per shortage filled. The study established that, with proper support and monitoring, DL could make basic noncommissioned officer course and advanced noncommissioned officer training possible earlier in the select-train-promote sequence. DL could begin before scheduled residence training courses are available, be taken in small pieces on a "continuous" basis, and occur at trainees' home station. Furthermore, modularized DL courses could allow "testing out" of already mastered material and enhance the type of self-development training that can accelerate the institutional training process. The study also indicated that using DL in the contexts identified could significantly lower the marginal cost of reducing skill shortages. (Information on measuring the effects of DL-based and non-DL-based strategies on shortages and the length of reclassification courses under DL is appended. Thirty tables/figures are included. Contains 19 references.) (MN)