When a sailor is hungry, it’s tough to wait until chow time to grab some grub.

So the San Diego-based amphibious assault ship USS Boxer, currently in the 7th Fleet and under operational control of Task Force 76, tweaked meal times before embarking on its current fall deployment last month to create a 24-hour mess, according to a ship news release.

The result — all-day access to meals — allows sailors to trickle in and out of the mess, rather than limiting them to specific meal times, when long lines can form.

“A long line with the 24-hour service is a 30-minute wait, whereas before it was over an hour,” Senior Chief Petty Officer Russ Paje, a culinary specialist who helped lead the change, was quoted as saying. “People were discouraged and wouldn’t wait for the meals provided, resorting to junk food like candy and soda.”

The change allows the ship’s 3,000 personnel to toss meal passes and ensures everyone gets a chance to eat — even those working odd hours.

“After working long hours, it’s great to have a break to eat,” said Petty Officer 3rd Class Hermis Gonzalez, according to the news release.

The change also can help provide better options to sailors who eat late-night meals.

“The guys that work at night don’t eat as well, and some guys might gain weight,” said Marine Sgt. Leonard Batiste in the release.

The change will be monitored throughout the ship’s deployment.

To staff the mess full time, food service workers will work in two 12-hour shifts to cook, serve and clean.

“The long shifts can be really frustrating, but we’re here for the Boxer, and the crew has to eat,” Marine Pfc. Stefan Ciotlos said in the news release.

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