This tradition started with one hungry Academy cadet, 4/c Bobby Brown (CGA Class of 2008), the son of Flotilla 15-09 Auxiliarist, Ellen Brown, who while attending the Academy was an All-American swimmer and who still holds many individual and relay records at the Academy.
Although the Academy has a top rated food service, eating in the wardroom was not the most relaxing experience for a freshman cadet. As part of their training, fourth class cadets are required to “brace up”, “square meals”, and “keep your eyes in the boat”. Unless cadets are granted “carry-on”, they are not permitted to look at what they are eating or where they are stabbing their fork! Not to mention the rigorous academic schedule and extracurricular activities leave little time for food, many times leaving athletes to eat cold boxed dinners up to six days per week.