Learning the basics of the Java language is indeed pretty easy. The syntax is fairly consistent (assuming you ignore generics and annotations to start with) and

Learning the basics of the Java language is indeed pretty easy. The syntax is fairly consistent (assuming you ignore generics and annotations to start with) and the core class libraries are useful (if a bit eclectic). Regardless, the original poster didn't ask about learning "Hello, World!" He asked about ways to learn both the Java language and the Struts stack on a tight schedule in order to deliver a project to a paying client. That's a tall order, and one I don't think most people can pull off without expert mentoring. There's just too much material to absorb, and having so many unknowns going in to a project will make cost estimation very difficult indeed. The original poster might be able to reasonably offer a discounted billing rate and/or more relaxed delivery schedule in order to manage expectations, but I personally haven't encountered many people doing hired-gun J2EE consulting on the cheap.