The Evolution Of Military Rations Throughout History
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Date: 2022-12-29
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Comments and reviews: 20
phirm01
A roommate once worked in an old prison doing renovations and they found crates of MRE meals. Spaghetti with meatballs, beef stroganoff, stews, soups, pastas, breads, crackers all kinds of stuff from the late 70's and this happened in 2008, so basically 40 year old rations! He brought them home and me, being a chef, was responsible for dinner that night. We called some friends over and ate. Honestly, I was suprised at how good everything still looked and tasted. The bread was vacuum sealed and came in a little foil pack. When you opened the packaging, there was a sucking sound and the bread would literally puff up in front of your eyes as it reconstituted. It was still moist! Everyone was understandably nervous eating 40 year old food, but nobody got sick, so, yay?
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A roommate once worked in an old prison doing renovations and they found crates of MRE meals. Spaghetti with meatballs, beef stroganoff, stews, soups, pastas, breads, crackers all kinds of stuff from the late 70's and this happened in 2008, so basically 40 year old rations! He brought them home and me, being a chef, was responsible for dinner that night. We called some friends over and ate. Honestly, I was suprised at how good everything still looked and tasted. The bread was vacuum sealed and came in a little foil pack. When you opened the packaging, there was a sucking sound and the bread would literally puff up in front of your eyes as it reconstituted. It was still moist! Everyone was understandably nervous eating 40 year old food, but nobody got sick, so, yay?
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Richard
The British Indian Army had to provide different rations for various groups within it's ranks such as illustrated during the 2nd Battle of El Alamein whilst the opposition went hungry by due to their lack of resupply. Bully Beef was imported from places such as Argentina during World War 1, a country so important to British trading that it was they that built the railways there and considered it part of the unofficial empire. I've read that Britian imported by weight, more tea than explosives during WW2 as it's fundamental to how the UK wages war. Snipers would often target troops brewing up outside of their vehicles hence the development of the BV (boiling vessel) inside British tanks.
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The British Indian Army had to provide different rations for various groups within it's ranks such as illustrated during the 2nd Battle of El Alamein whilst the opposition went hungry by due to their lack of resupply. Bully Beef was imported from places such as Argentina during World War 1, a country so important to British trading that it was they that built the railways there and considered it part of the unofficial empire. I've read that Britian imported by weight, more tea than explosives during WW2 as it's fundamental to how the UK wages war. Snipers would often target troops brewing up outside of their vehicles hence the development of the BV (boiling vessel) inside British tanks.
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Lady
After Hurricane Katrina, we were given MREs along with anything else they could give us. The food was edible, though not memorable. One thing I do recall is the teeny tiny bottle of Tabasco sauce! For some reason its size made me laugh. Hey, if you're going to eat some vacuum sealed food you might as well put some Tabasco on it.
Also, I'll pass on the saddle stew.
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After Hurricane Katrina, we were given MREs along with anything else they could give us. The food was edible, though not memorable. One thing I do recall is the teeny tiny bottle of Tabasco sauce! For some reason its size made me laugh. Hey, if you're going to eat some vacuum sealed food you might as well put some Tabasco on it.
Also, I'll pass on the saddle stew.
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Cara
OMG! Love this! We were served Vietnam era C-Rations when I was in basic training in 1983. When I was stationed in Berlin (1986-1988, we had the new MREs (meals ready to eat. Both were kinda gross, but at least the MREs werent as heavy (we had to carry them in our ruck sacks when we marched 15+ miles when we went to the field)and werent 20+ years old!
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OMG! Love this! We were served Vietnam era C-Rations when I was in basic training in 1983. When I was stationed in Berlin (1986-1988, we had the new MREs (meals ready to eat. Both were kinda gross, but at least the MREs werent as heavy (we had to carry them in our ruck sacks when we marched 15+ miles when we went to the field)and werent 20+ years old!
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Chrundle
C, D and K rations literally were designations for COMBAT rations, DESSERT rations and KITCHEN rations. And NOBODY cooked their food with C4. Its a military wives tail because C4 takes heat AND pressure to detonate and instructors would light a piece on fire to demonstrate. But if they dropped it while it was burning it WOULD DETONATE!
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C, D and K rations literally were designations for COMBAT rations, DESSERT rations and KITCHEN rations. And NOBODY cooked their food with C4. Its a military wives tail because C4 takes heat AND pressure to detonate and instructors would light a piece on fire to demonstrate. But if they dropped it while it was burning it WOULD DETONATE!
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mommymilkers
Oh man, the veggie omelet was the MRE to get in my time lmao. also when I was in Iraq we had this meals called Jimmy deans came with a can of beans, Vienna sausages in a can, bread, a bag of chips and if my memory serves me right a cookie. They were legit, would make a bean and sausage sandwich outta it
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Oh man, the veggie omelet was the MRE to get in my time lmao. also when I was in Iraq we had this meals called Jimmy deans came with a can of beans, Vienna sausages in a can, bread, a bag of chips and if my memory serves me right a cookie. They were legit, would make a bean and sausage sandwich outta it
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George
Early '60s, we had WWII C rations served in the chow hall about once a month. Scuttlebutt was that they were being served just as their expiration dates came due. Conspiracy scuttlebutt said there was this enormous backlog of rations that had been prepared for the invasion of Japan.
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Early '60s, we had WWII C rations served in the chow hall about once a month. Scuttlebutt was that they were being served just as their expiration dates came due. Conspiracy scuttlebutt said there was this enormous backlog of rations that had been prepared for the invasion of Japan.
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Ron
C4 is perfectly good for burning. it is stable as long as an electrical detonator or blasting cap is not used in it. So yes, you can burn it and heat a meal. However, the MREs come with an FRH - Flameless Ration Heater, which simply requires water to activate.
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C4 is perfectly good for burning. it is stable as long as an electrical detonator or blasting cap is not used in it. So yes, you can burn it and heat a meal. However, the MREs come with an FRH - Flameless Ration Heater, which simply requires water to activate.
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Red
I would very much enjoy a deep dive into the history of Native American wars BEFORE colonization. I briefly studied the subject in high school, and I remember reading that more humans died in the tribal wars between the natives than all other wars combined.
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I would very much enjoy a deep dive into the history of Native American wars BEFORE colonization. I briefly studied the subject in high school, and I remember reading that more humans died in the tribal wars between the natives than all other wars combined.
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Victoria
In the 90's my (now ex) husband had let us try a three, maybe four, different MRE's when he was in the Army.
I have to say that a fruit bread that came with one MRE is the only fruit bread I've ever liked. The spaghetti wasn't too bad either.
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In the 90's my (now ex) husband had let us try a three, maybe four, different MRE's when he was in the Army.
I have to say that a fruit bread that came with one MRE is the only fruit bread I've ever liked. The spaghetti wasn't too bad either.
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James
The recipe I remember most from my U. S. Civil War reading was shadow of chicken soup. Hang a chicken above the pot so that the shadow falls upon the water. Bring the water to boil, season to taste and serve. Pass the chicken to the next unit.
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The recipe I remember most from my U. S. Civil War reading was shadow of chicken soup. Hang a chicken above the pot so that the shadow falls upon the water. Bring the water to boil, season to taste and serve. Pass the chicken to the next unit.
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DRAKKENFIRE22
I'd double check the information about using C4 as a heating source. C4 doesn't burn. it explodes with ignition and force. I'm pretty sure they used either sterno canned jellied-gas or liquified canned gas.
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I'd double check the information about using C4 as a heating source. C4 doesn't burn. it explodes with ignition and force. I'm pretty sure they used either sterno canned jellied-gas or liquified canned gas.
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Evil
when I started in the regular Canadian army as an infantry soldier in 2007 we where told that our MRE's meet WW2 calorie standards so the gym monkeys need to bring extra food to sustain themselves.
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when I started in the regular Canadian army as an infantry soldier in 2007 we where told that our MRE's meet WW2 calorie standards so the gym monkeys need to bring extra food to sustain themselves.
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The
I was in the Marines from '88-'94.
I ate some very. interesting things, in some very interesting places.
If there's one thing I learned it's that coin is good.
Coin is VERY good.
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I was in the Marines from '88-'94.
I ate some very. interesting things, in some very interesting places.
If there's one thing I learned it's that coin is good.
Coin is VERY good.
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Chrundle
For instance: C, D and K rations were designations for Combat rats (what we call rations in the military, Dessert rats and Kitchen rats. Youd think these folks would hire an editor.
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For instance: C, D and K rations were designations for Combat rats (what we call rations in the military, Dessert rats and Kitchen rats. Youd think these folks would hire an editor.
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SkyBlue
The 1683 siege of Vienna is where the croissant was created.
Also the Mongols are credited for creating steak tartar, and early version of hamburger, from their saddle backs.
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The 1683 siege of Vienna is where the croissant was created.
Also the Mongols are credited for creating steak tartar, and early version of hamburger, from their saddle backs.
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Ravindra
Another food related military fact the need for a cup of tea pushed the British to install Boiling Devices for all their tanks since the Centurion
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Another food related military fact the need for a cup of tea pushed the British to install Boiling Devices for all their tanks since the Centurion
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Leland
A lot of this is just completely incorrect. Even skimming wikipedia on the topics would get you more accurate info. Try harder. It's your job.
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A lot of this is just completely incorrect. Even skimming wikipedia on the topics would get you more accurate info. Try harder. It's your job.
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Mark
Chef Boyardee made rations in WWII. And. was repackaged for civilians afterwards. Especially the ravioli. Became a best seller! SPAM as well.
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Chef Boyardee made rations in WWII. And. was repackaged for civilians afterwards. Especially the ravioli. Became a best seller! SPAM as well.
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Wayne
I have read that Napoleon's army was supplied with meals cooked in wine bottles as a way of preservation, when they could reach the front.
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I have read that Napoleon's army was supplied with meals cooked in wine bottles as a way of preservation, when they could reach the front.
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