2007-06-18 09:37:01 · 12 answers · asked by Saltydog 3 in Politics & Government ➔ Military
Replaced the C-Ration in 1980, and was introduced as the successor to the LRRP (Long Range Recon Patrol) ration.
MRE's (Meal Ready to Eat) are currently in use and have a 3-7 year shelf life, depending on the food inside, and where it is stored.
I use them frequently here in Iraq when I am not near a chow hall, and they're not bad despite what some may say. The current list is about 24 different regular meals, and a dozen or so vegetarian meals, so there is a choice availability.
Everyone has their favorite, and mine is Chicken Tetrazini, or Tortellini. You can heat them up with a water reactive 'oven' that heats the food pouch up pretty good. They have a good amount of carbs for burning during the day, and are nutritionally balanced.
It ain't home cookin' at all....but it's what I got!!
2007-06-18 09:55:07 · answer #1 · answered by jimmyd 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
The MRE was adopted as the Department of Defense combat ration in 1975. A large-scale production test began in 1978 with delivery in 1981. MRE I (1981) was the first date of pack.
In 1983, a field evaluation was conducted with the 25th Infantry Division for 34 days. They ate noting but MREs three times a day. Although troops rated the ration as acceptable, consumption was low - only about 60% of the calories provided were consumed.
Another test in 1986 with the same division resulted in increased consumption and acceptance.
2007-06-18 16:46:17 · answer #2 · answered by The Real America 4 · 5⤊ 0⤋
I don't know but we got issued them in the 80's. I could have killed the SOB that did away with the C-Rats and gave us those frigging things. The first one I got was a DE-hydrated beef patty. I let that stupid thing set for hours in water and it still was as crunchy as a potato chip and tasted like cardboard. That one meal cured me of EVER eating them again. I had lots of "Chef Boyardee" and "Campbell's beans" in my Alice pack after that day! I guess they have gotten better but I still don't dare eat those lousy things!!! I think the US Correctional system should give them to prisoners 3 meals a day. Half the con's would kill themselves and the other half would NEVER break the law again after they got out!!!
2007-06-18 16:47:51 · answer #3 · answered by SGT. D 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
How would I know? LOOONG past my time. However knowing how cheap the military is on actually feeding a grunt...Well if your lucky you may get to eat one of the first C-Ration's ever made! Complete with pack of Luckie's in a green box! Yumm! You guy's today don't know what real eating was!
2007-06-18 16:45:37 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
The Meal, ready to eat, was introduced in 1980 as a replacement for both the C-ration and the LRRP ration.
2007-06-18 16:44:33 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 5⤊ 0⤋
There were things called iorn rations, which were basic food for troops and sailors to carry. Salted dried meat, water and bread were common. This lasted all the way up to WWI.
2007-06-18 17:38:34 · answer #6 · answered by gregory_dittman 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
developed in the 70s & refined in the '80s... prior to that was freeze drying and canned stuff better known to those in the US services all the way back into the WWII era as C or K rations
2007-06-18 16:49:51 · answer #7 · answered by pmk 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I don't know about the very 1st MRE. I ate my first in Grafenwoehr, 1983, we were eating C rations before that. Mmmmmm it was Chicken Ala King with freeze dried strawberrys.
2007-06-18 16:46:24 · answer #8 · answered by Noah Tall 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Oh! You mean:
" Meals Rejected By Ethiopia "
2007-06-18 16:39:44 · answer #9 · answered by vanamont7 7 · 1⤊ 3⤋
I don't know but I think I ate it for lunch yesterday. (-:
2007-06-18 16:47:25 · answer #10 · answered by Harvey 3 · 3⤊ 0⤋