Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited / The determination of a system's life distribution usually requires the synthesis of a mixture of system survival modes. In order to alleviate the normal non-trivial calculations, this paper presents the concept of a reliability shorthand. After describing the possible ways a system can survive a mission, the practitioner of this shorthand can use stock formulas to obtain a system's survival function. Then simple insertion of the failure rates of the system's components into the known equations results in the system's reliability. Simple examples show the convenience of this shorthand. The TI-59 is demonstrated to be a useful tool; adequate to implement the methodology. / http://archive.org/details/introductiontore00repi / Lieutenant Commander, United States Navy