Several platoons march on Shepherd Memorial Drill Field Sept. 8.

Shepherd Memorial Drill Field’s 12 acres have been more crowded lately because every recruit-training company is active and full of recently-graduated high schoolers.

Though drill instructors have little time to rest and prepare for new cycles, Recruit Training Regiment sees this influx every year, and the DI’s plan accordingly. It is infrequent, however, when every company simultaneously trains recruits.

“When we have back-to-back training cycles, (the DI’s) know they are here to work, but they know they get good time off after the 80-, 90-man summer herds,” said Gunnery Sgt. Fernando M. Moreno, chief drill instructor, B Company, which picked up 579 recruits last month. Moreno said a good break for DI’s could last as long as four weeks.