I've heard people from the Navy describe Jellicoe as someone who should have been forced out as a Lt Commander - his style comes across as micromanagement and he seems uninterested in voices that don't echo his own.
Eating before the men is a big no-no in the US military. Lowest ranks eat first, then NCOs, then officers - do NOT be caught anywhere other than the last third of the line if you are a junior officer. So having a Captain eat first is probably a signal to those familiar with the military that he is not fit for his position.