Traveller self-improvement

Summarized from Book 2, pp. 42-43.

A character may undertake the following methods of self-improvement:

Skill improvement (only one blade, one gun, & two non-weapon skills at one time)
Physical fitness (Str, Dex, & End--all at once)
Education (Edu)
Sabbatical (Stop adventuring for 4 years to acquire a new non-weapon skill at level 2)

A single character could--at most--undertake simultaneously improvement of one blade skill, one gun skill, two non-weapon skills, physical fitness, & education.

Skill improvement

Skill improvement programs take 4 years
At the beginning, roll 8+ on 2D to stay dedicated
Skill is temporarily increased by 1 immediately
If the program is suspended for more than 3 months, it ends immediately & the temporary increase is lost
At the end of 4 years:
- If the skill began at level zero, the increase to 1 becomes permanent
- Otherwise, the character must undertake another 4 year program to make the increase permanent

(Book 2 does not allow improvement by this method of non-weapon skills at level zero.)

Physical fitness

Physical fitness programs take 4 years
At the beginning, roll 8+ on 2D to stay dedicated
- +2 if Int 8-
- +4 if Int 5-
Str, Dex, & End are each increased by 1 immediately
If the program is suspended for more than 3 months, it ends immediately & the temporary increase is lost
(Is it ever permanent?)
No characteristic may be improved past 15.

Education

Edu can be improved through correspondence courses or tutoring.

Requirement: Edu < Int
50 Cr / session
1 session / week normally, but 2 is possible.
After 50 sessions, Edu is permanently increased by 1 point
Edu cannot be increased by more than 6 points / 4 years

Sabbatical

Acquire a new skill by attending a college, techincal school, or something equivalent.

Takes 4 years
Costs 70,000 Cr
Grants any non-weapon skill at level 2.
(Book 2 says only one sabbatical / lifetime)

Notes

This is just a place for me to jot some notes.

Some people just roll on the character's prior service career table every 4 years.

Physical fitness increases should be permanent since they'll likely be followed by saving throws?

Non-weapon skill level zero should be able to be increased just like weapon skill level zero.

Multiple sabbaticals per lifetime should be allowed.

Any way, other than sabbaticals, to gain skill level zero in a new skill?

8 years for a permanent increase may be a bit too much. Maybe make it permanent at the end of the first 4 years? Or reduce the program times to 2 years? On the other hand, skill level 1 is "journeyman"; 2, "master"; & 3, "expert". 8 years may not be too much.

Maybe skill level should be a negative DM to the determination roll. The higher you go, the harder it should get.

In general, I'd prefer points to rolls.

There's always the MT system.

Physical fitness maybe follows the skill model. Two successive 4-year programs gives permanent benefit.

Need to add Instruction skill.

A failed determination throw means (according to the Traveller Book) a new program cannot be attempted for at least one year.

One interpretation is that only one of: weapon skills, non-weapon skills, physical fitness, or education; can be attempted at once.

There may be alternatives. These are just common method with well-defined rules.

Thanks to Aramis, Ewan Quibell, & RainOfSteel.