Meal, Ready-to-Eat
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The Meal, Ready-to-Eat , or MRE, is a self-contained, individual field ration in lightweight packaging produced by the United States military for its servicemembers for use in combat or other field conditions where organized food facilities are not available. The MRE replaced C-rations in 1980 and was the successor to the so-called LRRP ration developed by the U.S. Army for Special Forces and U.S. Army Ranger patrol units in Vietnam. The U.S. Army is currently working on the next generation field ration, called the UGR-E.<ref>http://www4.army.mil/ocpa/read.php?story_id_key=9747</ref>
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[edit] Requirements
Each meal provides approximately 1,200 Calories (1,200 kcal or 5,000 kJ). General contents include: a main course of starch; crackers; a cheese, peanut butter, or jelly spread; a dessert or snack; powdered beverage mix; an accessory packet; a plastic spoon; and a flameless ration heater (FRH). However, not every MRE contains all listed items.
Packaging requirements are strict. MREs must be capable of withstanding parachute drops from 380 m (1,250 feet), and non-parachute drops of 30 m (100 feet). The packaging is required to maintain a minimum shelf life of three and a half years at 27° C (80° F) or nine months at 38° C (100° F); additionally, short-term temperature extremes of -51° C (-60° F) to 49° C (120° F) must be sustainable. New forms of packaging are being considered to better meet these requirements including the use of zein to replace foil as foil can be easily punctured, conducts heat, and might give away a soldier's position.<ref>http://www.fdp.com/content.php?s=FP/2005/09&p=15</ref>
Each MRE weighs 380 to 510 g (13 to 18 oz) depending on the menu.
Each MRE is labeled:
U.S. Government Property Commercial Resale is Unlawful
Flameless Ration Heaters are prohibited on commercial airlines unless sealed in original MRE menu bag, due to the hydrogen fumes yielded by the chemical process of cooking with them.
[edit] MRE contents
- Main course or Entree
- Side dish
- Dessert
- Cracker or bread
- Spread
- Beverage powder
- Coffee
- Utensils
- Accessories (chewing gum, matches, toilet paper...)
[edit] MRE menus
- MRE I (1981) ~ MRE V (1985)
- MRE XXV (2005)
- Grilled Beefsteak with mushroom gravy
- BBQ Pork rib
- Beef ravioli
- Cheese & vegetable omelet
- Chicken breast filet
- Chicken fajita
- Chicken with salsa
- Hamburger patty
- Beef stew
- Chili with macaroni
- Penne with vegetables and sausage in spicy tomato sauce
- Veggie burger in BBQ sauce
- Cheese tortellini
- Vegetable Manicotti
- Beef enchiladas
- Chicken with noodles
- Sloppy Joe filling
- Cajun rice with sausage
- Pot roast with vegetables
- Spaghetti with meat sauce
- Chicken Tetrazzini
- Jambalaya
- Chicken with cavatelli
- Meatloaf with gravy
[edit] Criticism
Some of the early MRE entrées were not very palatable, earning them the nicknames "Mr. E" (mystery), "Meals Rejected by Everyone," "Meals Rejected by the Enemy," "Materials Resembling Edibles," "Meals Refusing to Excrete," and even "Meals Rejected by Ethiopians" (in reference to a country that was gripped by famine at the time). Some meals got their own nicknames. For example, the frankfurters, which came sealed in pouches of four, were referred to as "the four fingers of death." Although quality has improved over the years, many of the nicknames have stuck. MREs were often called "Three Lies" - it's not a Meal, it's not Ready, and you can't Eat it.
Their low dietary fiber content could cause constipation in some so they were also known as "Meals Refusing to Exit." While the commonly-held belief that the gum found in MREs contains a laxative is false, the crackers in the ration pack do contain a higher than normal vegetable content to facilitate excretion.
Reportedly, the 'Charms' (colored candies coming with many MREs) are considered bad luck by the U.S. military (especially if actually eaten). This may be a case of a joking dislike becoming a superstition (i.e. not eating them 'just in case' or because it might make your comrades uneasy).
MREs are also provided by the National Guard to the public during National Disasters such as Hurricane Frances or Hurricane Jeanne, which both made landfall at the same spot within a month's time, and for Hurricane Katrina, in which flooding resulted in the loss of long-term shelter.
The recent growth of MREs listed on eBay (2005) has resulted in a government investigation of whether they were intended for Hurricane Katrina victims, and the nickname "Meals Ready for Ebay." Some cases are being sold from Louisiana, Mississippi, Florida and other Gulf states affected by Hurricane Katrina. The cost of a 12 pack case of MREs is $86.98 (approx. $7.25 a meal) to the government. Officials from eBay have asked the Pentagon to cite a law that prevents the sale of military issue MREs but have yet to receive an answer. [1] The DoD responded by stamping all MRE boxes with a warning that they are not for commercial resale. [citation needed]
A common pastime for troops in the field is to make small explosive devices from the material inside an MRE. The FRH is folded and rolled into a cylinder which is pushed into a half-full bottle of water. The cap is quickly screwed on and the bottle hurled away, where the expanding hydrogen eventually causes the bottle to rupture explosively (see Dry Ice Bomb). This practice is frowned upon by most leadership due to the inherent danger of any improvised explosive, especially since the bottle releases flammable hydrogen. "MRE bombs" detonated near campfires or open flames can result in serious burns. In addition, some pranksters drop small pebbles or stones into a bottle, resulting in potentially dangerous shrapnel. Others may substitute urine for water resulting in a spray that is highly unsanitary.[citation needed]
[edit] MRE Satire
In aftermath of Hurricane Katrina & Hurricane Rita in 2005, a large number of civilians were exposed to MREs, prompting several jokes during the recent Mardi Gras with revellers donning clothing made of MRE packets with phrases such as "MRE Antoinette" and "Man Ready to Eat". Many Hurricane Katrina handbags have also appeared on eBay.
[edit] References
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[edit] See also
[edit] External links
- How MREs Work
- MRE Info
- NPR All Things Considered, mentions the new MRE menu for 2004 (at 5 minutes 02 seconds)
- U.S. Investigates Sale of MREs on eBay
- Military Packages Put Technology to the Test
- MRE taste test: Airman staff goes tactical to spill the beans on meals, ready to eat
- Military buys special meals for Jewish, Muslim troopsde:Einmannpackung
