NationStates Jolt Archive

I had some leftover MREs from my stint in the military, so my friend and I decided to "document" the experience of eating an MRE in photos.

http://fraudwasteabuse.wordpress.com/2007/03/24/a-guide-to-eating-a-delicious-mre/

I thought it might be interesting for those who have never seen an MRE or partaken in the experience.:p

I actually have a small supply of MREs in my emergency closet. *nod*

I've eaten a couple and I find that deliciousness varies greatly by menu. Much like real food. *nod*

MREs are always fun. Never used the flameless heater, though. I was too scared. (Nasty stuff, isn't it?)

i had the chance to partake back in ..... '96 maybe... when the son and i had a chance to go to philmont boy scout camp for a weekend.

they are boring but OK. however the ones we had generated an enormous amount of trash. all brown.

WTF is a MRE?

What? No ice cream?

I had a box of MREs once. I found them to be quite good for the most part. I don't know where movies and books get their "military rations are horrible shit" cliches from, honestly...

WTF is a MRE?

Meals Ready to Eat. It's basically modern US military field rations.

WTF is a MRE?

MREs=Meals Ready to Eat. It is latest and greatest term for military camp food. *nod*

WTF is a MRE?

Meals Ready to Eat. It's an acronym for a type of military ration.

See here for more:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MRE

I had some leftover MREs from my stint in the military, so my friend and I decided to "document" the experience of eating an MRE in photos.

http://fraudwasteabuse.wordpress.com/2007/03/24/a-guide-to-eating-a-delicious-mre/

I thought it might be interesting for those who have never seen an MRE or partaken in the experience.:pWhy do all the threads you make link to your blog?

I had a box of MREs once. I found them to be quite good for the most part. I don't know where movies and books get their "military rations are horrible shit" cliches from, honestly...

most of those stories come from C rations, not MREs.

when you eat the same stuff out of pouches that were filled long ago, you get very sick of it and tend to complain. its not like mama's cooking eh?

You should have sent one to the guy responsible for "Steve, don't eat it!"

http://www.thesneeze.com/mt-archives/cat_steve_dont_eat_it.php

Want to know what what eating an MRE is like?

No.

But I read it anyway. That main course was sick. It looked like the batter of corn-meat fritters before you put it in the fry pan.

I had a box of MREs once. I found them to be quite good for the most part. I don't know where movies and books get their "military rations are horrible shit" cliches from, honestly...

they use to be shit but with new tech they are now better then what they where like in WW1 ,WW2 and the korean war

MREs are always fun. Never used the flameless heater, though. I was too scared. (Nasty stuff, isn't it?)

... we used the canned tuna as steno.


but nowdays, MRE's are much better than the canned sh*t we used to have.

No.

But I read it anyway. That main course was sick. It looked like the batter of corn-meat fritters before you put it in the fry pan.

It tastes a lot better than it looks, trust me. Of course the MRE they ate was a bit old...older than normal, anyway.

About how many calories are there per meal?

About how many calories are there per meal?

1,200. Since they're intended as field rations for various combat purposes, that's a nice good calorie amount, really.

whoa! smallest tobasco sauce bottle ever!

Some of the main courses are suprisingly good. I liked the hash the best.I was in Training school when hurricane George ripped through. Had to eat them for three days... cold (heating packs let off toxins).

But most of all I loved the dry ice cream and dried fruit.

whoa! smallest tobasco sauce bottle ever!
yep. first they were donated by the company when troops complained about no taste and nothing to season their food other than salt/pepper.

Interesting. And what a cute little bottle of Tabasco! I wonder how much that company makes from those? Knowing our g'ment they pay $2.50 per.

yep. first they were donated by the company when troops complained about no taste and nothing to season their food other than salt/pepper.

ahh, ok


the oatmeal cookies should've been cream filled.. but I guess these foods are meant to last a while before being eaten.

I had some leftover MREs from my stint in the military, so my friend and I decided to "document" the experience of eating an MRE in photos.

http://fraudwasteabuse.wordpress.com/2007/03/24/a-guide-to-eating-a-delicious-mre/

I thought it might be interesting for those who have never seen an MRE or partaken in the experience.:p

Wow. I'm glad I don't wat to join the army.

whoa! smallest tobasco sauce bottle ever!
we don't get it in a bottle

yep. first they were donated by the company when troops complained about no taste and nothing to season their food other than salt/pepper.
Haha...what you guys really needed was an entire spice rack. Or maybe spice packets...surely if they can make salt and pepper packets they can make packets of other popular spices...garlic...onion...rosemary...thyme...basil...oregeno...paprika...bay leaves...parsley...cumin...nutmeg...cinnomin...tumeric...red curry...chili pepper..other stuff...

Wow. I'm glad I don't wat to join the army.

Yes, because the food is what you really need to worry about.

Yes, because the food is what you really need to worry about.

It's more important than you might think. The quality of one's food is a basic part of morale, and without morale, you have no force capable of fighting.

Haha...what you guys really needed was an entire spice rack. Or maybe spice packets...surely if they can make salt and pepper packets they can make packets of other popular spices...garlic...onion...rosemary...thyme...basil...oregeno...paprika...bay leaves...parsley...cumin...nutmeg...cinnomin...tumeric...red curry...chili pepper..other stuff...

blame the Germans for that.


one story I heard (so take it as you will) was that German POW's complained to the guards that they were supposed to be served the same meals the Allies in the feild were served.

The commanding officer told them that they were. and it was proven to them.

Their reported reply was "We are going to lose this war..." :D

And also considering what I heard some men use their tobascco sauce for... *shudders*

blame the Germans for that.


one story I heard (so take it as you will) was that German POW's complained to the guards that they were supposed to be served the same meals the Allies in the feild were served.

The commanding officer told them that they were. and it was proven to them.

Their reported reply was "We are going to lose this war..." :D

And also considering what I heard some men use their tobascco sauce for... *shudders*

Well, I'll tell you this much...the spice packets idea is a good one. Make at least a few of the most popular, like garlic. I tell you, it'll go over well with the troops.

I thought it might be interesting for those who have never seen an MRE or partaken in the experience.:p

Can I say thanks, but no thanks? My brother did some training at a local Marine base when he was in high school, around 96 or 97. I remember him snarfing them down like they were the best things since sliced bread. He offered me one, and I tried it, but it was so nasty, there are no words. The oatmeal cookie looked (and tasted) more like those blocks of compressed sawdust they use as firestarters. Not one of my better culinary memories.

Tho, having read 'Steve, don't eat that,' I'm pretty sure MREs aren't nearly gross enough for him.

Can I say thanks, but no thanks? My brother did some training at a local Marine base when he was in high school, around 96 or 97. I remember him snarfing them down like they were the best things since sliced bread. He offered me one, and I tried it, but it was so nasty, there are no words. The oatmeal cookie looked (and tasted) more like those blocks of compressed sawdust they use as firestarters. Not one of my better culinary memories.

Tho, having read 'Steve, don't eat that,' I'm pretty sure MREs aren't nearly gross enough for him.

People like your brother and I like MREs because we have an unrefined palate. I find a lot of the supposed rich food somewhat disgusting and distasteful yet I'll eat something like instant ramen and think its the best thing on earth.

Haha...what you guys really needed was an entire spice rack. Or maybe spice packets...surely if they can make salt and pepper packets they can make packets of other popular spices...garlic...onion...rosemary...thyme...basil...oregeno...paprika...bay leaves...parsley...cumin...nutmeg...cinnomin...tumeric...red curry...chili pepper..other stuff...


Cumin! now there's a spice that was and is still expensive. I love it though.

Did you know cinnamon is very good for you? I didn't. We all know garlic can do wonders for blood pressure/circulation and the heart etc. Certainly all those you named have a place. But what do most of us eat? Processed crap. Cause it's cheap, quick and easy! sigh.

We should all eat lots of garlic, hot peppers (cayenne) and the rest of that stuff. I have the video.. curing with cayenne. Interesting.

People like your brother and I like MREs because we have an unrefined palate. I find a lot of the supposed rich food somewhat disgusting and distasteful yet I'll eat something like instant ramen and think its the best thing on earth.

My own personal bet involves the fact that before we adopted him, he lived in Arizona, where he ate many, many, many extremely hot peppers. And the fact that I've seen him chug-a-lug Tabasco sauce on a dare. And I don't like much rich food, either. And I like ramen. Mmmmmm... beef ramen.

Yes, because the food is what you really need to worry about.

Bad food = bad morale.

Bad food = bad morale.

And the risk of getting shot? Guess the bad food is more important?

bleh. they are minging. i can't remember what the one i had was exactly but it was mostly lumpy and brown.

My own personal bet involves the fact that before we adopted him, he lived in Arizona, where he ate many, many, many extremely hot peppers. And the fact that I've seen him chug-a-lug Tabasco sauce on a dare. And I don't like much rich food, either. And I like ramen. Mmmmmm... beef ramen.
That's also possible...I used to do something vaguely similiar to that which might have harmed my sense of taste somewhat.

Cumin! now there's a spice that was and is still expensive. I love it though.

Did you know cinnamon is very good for you? I didn't. We all know garlic can do wonders for blood pressure/circulation and the heart etc. Certainly all those you named have a place. But what do most of us eat? Processed crap. Cause it's cheap, quick and easy! sigh.

We should all eat lots of garlic, hot peppers (cayenne) and the rest of that stuff. I have the video.. curing with cayenne. Interesting.

Aye, aye, aye we should. I know I'm changing my diet to something closer to that, anyway.

Ruffy: Uh...look, you're more likely to get shot if your morale is bad. Do you not understand the concept of morale? You can't exactly fight well without morale, and if you can't fight well, you'll probably be shot and die. So making sure the rations taste good is, in fact, a good idea.

The hot dog MRE's are the worst with ham a close second. Tuna was good as was chili mac (good being subjective).

Those things have something like 3,000 calories though.:eek:

The hot dog MRE's are the worst with ham a close second.

I think they got rid of the hot dog ones a while back.

I think they got rid of the hot dog ones a while back.

God I hope so. Those were ::shudders::

Last ones I had were in 2001.

Yes, because the food is what you really need to worry about.

I have to agree.

I have to agree.
well, it's really the small things that make life livable when you're on deployment. Dry socks, a warm bed, edible food. All good for morale.

I've had a couple MREs and they were delicous.

But I can see where eating them all the time would get old.

I had some leftover MREs from my stint in the military, so my friend and I decided to "document" the experience of eating an MRE in photos.

http://fraudwasteabuse.wordpress.com/2007/03/24/a-guide-to-eating-a-delicious-mre/

I thought it might be interesting for those who have never seen an MRE or partaken in the experience.:p
Meals Rejected by Ethiopeans says it all doesn't it? :p

well, it's really the small things that make life livable when you're on deployment. Dry socks, a warm bed, edible food. All good for morale.

As Hawkeye Pierce and BJ Hunnicutt have continually reminded me.

As Hawkeye Pierce and BJ Hunnicutt have continually reminded me.

It's so cliche but so true. I didn't think anyone would get the reference though. You get a cookie.

I've had a couple MREs and they were delicous.

But I can see where eating them all the time would get old.

They get old after about the third one!

They get old after about the third one!

so i have been told

My friend bought us some army rations back from his stint in the forces for a hike we we did. They were truly awful. I maintain the "pate" was cat food.

I've had an Australian equivalent before. It wasn't the worst meal i've ever had, but not terribly good, either.

It's so cliche but so true. I didn't think anyone would get the reference though. You get a cookie.

Thanks. (Eats cookie)

It just reminded me of MASH.

I've had an Australian equivalent before. It wasn't the worst meal i've ever had, but not terribly good, either.

thats the only one i have had
:( but lose the cool thing you get in the pack

WTF is a MRE?

Someone's probably answerd this, but it stands for "Meal Ready to Eat."

My friend bought us some army rations back from his stint in the forces for a hike we we did. They were truly awful. I maintain the "pate" was cat food.

Supposedly French rations are supposed to be good.

I actually love MRE's and usually have atleast 3 cases in my supplies. I actually went about 4 months once just eating MRE's and I still find them very tasty

This reminds me of a comic I read once.

These two gallic tribesmen join the roman army, and go for their first meal. The smart one tells the other one "I heard once that the strength of an army can be measured by how bad it's food is". The other one takes a bite and exclaims "Gods! I had no idea the roman army was this powerful!"

This reminds me of a comic I read once.

These two gallic tribesmen join the roman army, and go for their first meal. The smart one tells the other one "I heard once that the strength of an army can be measured by how bad it's food is". The other one takes a bite and exclaims "Gods! I had no idea the roman army was this powerful!"

Asterix. :)

This reminds me of a comic I read once.

These two gallic tribesmen join the roman army, and go for their first meal. The smart one tells the other one "I heard once that the strength of an army can be measured by how bad it's food is". The other one takes a bite and exclaims "Gods! I had no idea the roman army was this powerful!"

we are
http://www.asterix.de/band31/img/nav/soldat_gruen.gif

Meals Rejected by Ethiopeans says it all doesn't it? :p

Meals Rejected by Everyone!

I actually have a small supply of MREs in my emergency closet. *nod*

I've eaten a couple and I find that deliciousness varies greatly by menu. Much like real food. *nod*
It isn't bad in small doses, but then mess hall and cafeteria food isn't either. I find it telling that every Marine who deploys sets aside valuable volume in his pack for a bottle of Tabasco sauce.

I actually love MRE's and usually have atleast 3 cases in my supplies. I actually went about 4 months once just eating MRE's and I still find them very tasty

They're about 2500 calories a meal, aren't they? Did you not blow up like a balloon?

I had a box of MREs once. I found them to be quite good for the most part. I don't know where movies and books get their "military rations are horrible shit" cliches from, honestly...
C-rations, which were lousy -- think spam and hash, preceded the first gen MRE. Those were pretty poor, too. The best thing about the C-rats were that they came with a "John Wayne" can opener, and a cracker -- saltines, not cookies -- tin that could be used as a stove.

http://members.aol.com/alsfiles3/r0019.jpg
This is one to avoid.

You could probably still eat those C-rations today.

You could probably still eat those C-rations today.

<shudder> But why would you want to?

Ive had a few.

Really not all that bad.

Ive had a few.

Really not all that bad.

Some are okay. Eat too many and they clog up the plumbing.