The purpose of this message is to explain what's behind "IA3".

The Customs Service has undertaken a major campaign over the last several years to strengthen integrity training throughout the agency. As the lead office for this effort at Customs, Internal Affairs developed "IA3" in consultation with the National Treasury Employees Union to serve as the agency's annual in-service integrity training program. The CD was designed to be both entertaining and informative. The interactive format allows viewers to browse different integrity topics and explore the various features the program has to offer.

At some point during your review of "IA3", you should take the basic integrity test offered on the program and print off the accompanying certificate indicating that you have passed. You can take the test as many times as you need to. All employees will be required to obtain their certificate by September 30, 2001.

Official guidelines will be issued shortly that allow employees time on the job to review and complete the program. In the meantime, you are welcome to explore "IA3" on your own during work hours or at home. Employees who complete the program on their own initiative should turn their certificate in to their immediate supervisor, who will retain it as documentation of successful completion of training.

Thank you for your continued commitment to integrity at U.S. Customs.