Opening cereal boxes

From USAFA Folklore

At Mitchell Hall, cereal is normally served in small, individual serving-sized boxes. Often, cadets open the boxes not by the flaps at the ends, but by stabbing them in the middle with a knife, then cutting the box in half, leaving a "hinge" on one side, so the box can be folded open, then easily emptied into one's bowl. Sometimes uperclassmen would have "violating" smacks place two hinged boxes on their ears (resembling earphone) and give the morning news like a helicopter traffic reporter. Well executed performances usually resulted in a relaxed meal - otherwise just general 4th class humiliation.