Recent literature reviews indicate that there is a growing body of research dealing with team training and performance (see Denson, 1981; Dyer, 1984; and Salas, Dickinson, Tannenbaum, and Converse, in preparation). However, the available literature provides little guidance concerning the most effective and efficient ways to improve team training in real military settings. The purposes of this paper are to (a) summarize the major research issues associated with efforts to study and enhance team training; (b) propose an alternative approach to the study of these issues; and (c) outline a research agenda for using a standardized methodology derived from this approach to investigate team performance and the acquisition of teamwork skills. Suggestions are given concerning the direction for future research to develop and evaluate team training procedures.