Well, when the alternative is the noted culinary accomplishment, "SOS" (AKA "Sh*t on a Shingle", the military interpretation of "Sloppy Joes", but now and again on the breakfast menus, "Foreskins" are to be anticipated. The other noted Navy breakfast, Saturday mornings prior to galley inspection, hard boiled eggs and baked beans (cooked in a steam caldron to reduce the number of pans to be scrubbed) is not high on my liking list.

The 4-8? Deck/bridge/CIC/engineering watch, awakened at 0330, ready to relieve the watch by 0345, hoping that the messenger has brought up fresh coffee, 4AM until relieved for breakfast, usually about 0730. The "Darkness before dawn" stint, when all's quiet with the world, in the old days before SATNAV/GPS, little to do but pulling out the sextant for the morning star sights, but the occasional close encounter with the third kind, another vessel, some of which have less than astute hands on the bridge and standing lookout. Good times exercising the junior watch officers awaiting qualification in the arcane art of the maneuvering board, fishing boat lights, and the minimum acceptable CPA.