All military trainees know the event, though by different names. Valerie J. Solomon, assistant NCO in charge of the course. Recruits used to run the course only once, but as part of the Air Force's effort to toughen basic, trainees get the pleasure of doing it twice. They also do better the second time, so they seem to build more confidence in their abilities. The course also encourages team-building, as the recruits waiting to tackle an obstacle cheer for their flightmates.
Recruits climb over, under and around obstacles.
Some of the course is over water, so recruits get very wet if they lose their grip. The number of butterfingers always seems to rise in the summer, Solomon observed. Another change the Air Force made was to double recruits' physical training. During their six-week stay, they sweat six PT sessions a week instead of only three. Before the sun comes up, the trainees awaken, get into PT uniforms, form up, warm up and then perform calisthenics.