With the formalities out of the way, it was time to turn the trainees over to the tender mercies of the instructors.  The IRS originally planned to bring recent retirees back to do the teaching but this plan foundered when the retirees found out they'd have to spend their summer in Dallas.  Texas.  In Ju...(oh, right, we already did that one.)  Anyway, it was also realized that retirees knew nothing about doing the job in a post-RRA '98 environment.  That fact, of course, did not disqualify the retirees - it merely put them on an equal footing with managers who had been here all along.

The SBSE Training Committee flew out from Washington to provide guidance for the various instructors.

Some instructrs seemed to have a genuine feel for the routine...

while others were clueless

In spite of the threats, most of the classes were not well attended.  Two trainees were overheard discussing the shortcomings of the classes.

The Brooklyn contingent decided to check out the local bar scene in lieu of attending class.

Desperate to improve attendance,  IRS tried to have the sherrif round up truants.  It did not work, most trainees were fed up.

One desperate group of trainees  stole some motorcycles  and raced for the Mexican border.  As they skidded to a stop they posed for this picture. A well thought out plan was evident as they had studied Spanish rather than go to class.

The most tragic incident concerned this trainee who committed suicide.  Lacking a gun, he put his hair dryer in his mouth and pulled the trigger.  Doctors speculated that the resulting injuries were not serious and attributed the death to a "loss of a will to live."  His suicide note was particularly poignant.

Fortunately, as time passed, some trainees were able to focus on long range goals.

Still, many trainees deserted in the middle of the night, leaving poignant notes scrawled on mirrors. This trainee also left a recorded message on the Human Resources voice mail system.

Finally, graduation day, and the survivors celebrate the end of training!

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