When we think about military systems commands we normally conjure up images of weapons ranges and test pilots. But the U.S. Army Natick Soldier Research, Development and Engineering Center is involved in pursuits arguably less glamorous but no less important to the war effort.
Among NSRDEC’s missions is the research, development, testing and engineering of “combat feeding systems.” The command sums up this particular mission like this: “As long as there are wars, there will be boots on the ground; and where there are boots on the ground, there must be combat rations.”
Roger that. So let’s start with a quick bit of modern military gastronomic history, this from a recent Natick press release:
“The MRE replaced the Meal, Combat Individual, which some still refer to as the old ‘C-Ration,’ beginning in 1980.
“From its year of introduction to 1987, the MRE contained such memorable items as: Ham and Chicken Loaf, Smoky Franks (aka ‘the Five Fingers of Death’), Chicken a la King (or Chicken ‘a la Death’) and the ever popular freeze dried pork, beef and potato patties. In 1988, eight of the original 12 entrees were replaced with entrees that were slightly more identifiable, to include spaghetti and meat sauce.
“The MRE had the opportunity to go to war in Operation Desert Shield and Desert Storm.
“Unfortunately, the initial feedback on the acceptance of the MRE wasn’t pretty. It wasn’t the four letter words we heard, but the combination of 4-letter words! Gerry Darsch, then chief of the Ration Systems Division, was called to the Pentagon. It was ‘suggested’ by the former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Gen. Colin Powell, that we explore how to ‘fix it!’”
In classic Army fashion the first step in carrying out General Powell’s directive was to include hot sauce in every MRE. Other developmental milestones included the Flameless Ration Heater (1993), the end of freeze-dried fruit (1994). (It was too expensive. You think FCS is a defense budget buster? You should see the pricetag for dried apricots.)
Other highlights over the years of the MRE Improvement Program include the “hot beverage bag” (very popular in Iraq during the summer months, I’ll bet) and the “ergonomically designed drink pouch for dairy shakes.” (One wonders what part of the anatomy the pouch is shaped for.)
So what does the future hold for combat feeding systems? Well, even as I write this Combat Feeding Teams are in theater working with frontline units to enhance what Natick calls the “family of combat rations.” Right now the teams are fine tuning two new “ration concepts”: the First Strike Ration and the Unitized Group Ration-Express (UGR-E). Natick’s release goes on to state that after these concepts are fielded they will enter the improvement programs “to insure {sic} … the inclusion of science and technology drop-ins to further enhance both rations.”
True dat! S&T drop-ins … and sprinkles! And while I’m all about warfighters sounding like warfighters, may I suggest that the labels “First Strike” and “UGR-E” (“ughereee!”) might need re-think by the PAO shop before they’re introduced to the troops.
But there’s a method to this dietary madness. According to Natick, “In the not too distant future, rations will contain naturally occurring constituents such as probiotics, which are beneficial bacteria such as those found in yogurt, and, nutraceuticals, which are small nutritional organic molecules. It is anticipated {love that passive voice} that these constituents will provide improved nutrition, cognitive and physical performance enhancement using novel nutrient delivery systems, e.g. buccal (between the cheek and gum) delivery of nutrients based on scientifically proven studies.
“Rations will be packaged using polymeric films relying on nanotechnology and contain enticing aroma emitting films. These will enhance consumption as well as protect and maintain extended shelf life to insure wholesomeness and safety. New food processing methods such as high pressure processing, pulsed electric field, and microwave sterilization will bring more variety and components with higher quality than those processed today via thermostabilization.”
Probiotics? Aroma emitting films? Novel nutrient delivery systems? Mouth-watering, indeed. The future dinner bell will be a-ringing loud and clear. Get ready to come and get it, Soldier.
(The gouge: AD)
– Ward
{ 26 comments… read them below or add one }
Edible combat rations!? That is a contradiction in terms. I still remember with fondness every time my brother came home on leave during his compulsory military service. He always brought me a ration pack, called a Rat Pack (Add rodent comment here). For a 10 year old it was the coolest thing ever, including the high-fiber biscuits – Dog biscuits, and a tube of condensed milk – I won’t repeat what the troops called the contents, suffice to say that it took me a few more years before I knew the term. ‘You get to eat this every day in the army. Cool!’ Luckily they didn’t.
The only MRE that I really enjoyed was the beef stew. I had to carry 4 cases of MREs on my truck whenever we would go out for a refuel mission in Bosnia. Needless to say, I’d trade around till I could get beef stew or at least the spagetti (least favorite but liked by most so it was an easy trade out). This was a main stay of my platoon and worked out well untill I got a butter bar that decided it was his right to dip into my “open boxes” and find one he liked. He really hated the only ones I had and I ended up listening to him grip about it for the next 2 hours.
If they can come up with a new meal I wouldn’t be at all opposed to trying them as long as they keep the stew.
The SF guys always seemed to have the best field rations. I was OPFOR one time for 5th group and they gave me some of their LRRP rations. Basically Mountain House-like freeze dried stuff and what looked like MRE bags filled with all kinds of Poggie Bate foods, Fig Neutons, candy, cookies, etc. Very high carb and tasty.
OK, call me a cheatin bastard, but as a tanker, we had lots of room to squirrel stuff away. I have never eaten those MRE’s yet! We always had real “down home cookin” by carryin a fully stocked pantry on board. We always rolled out with a 4 day supply of “real” food for the whole crew. We would re-stock our larder every time we went back for R&R … Rounds and Re-fuel! Engines make great food heaters too. But, Im planning a camping trip soon, and my bud is getting 2 cases of em for us. He says they’re great, especially if yer hungry. Somebody please warn me now if I’m in for gastric shock!
OK, call me a cheatin bastard, but as a tanker, we had lots of room to squirrel stuff away. I have never eaten those MRE’s yet! We always had real “down home cookin” by carryin a fully stocked pantry on board. We always rolled out with a 4 day supply of “real” food for the whole crew. We would re-stock our larder every time we went back for R&R … Rounds and Re-fuel! Engines make great food heaters too. But, Im planning a camping trip soon, and my bud is getting 2 cases of em for us. He says they’re great, especially if yer hungry. Somebody please warn me now if I’m in for gastric shock!
OK, call me a cheatin bastard, but as a tanker, we had lots of room to squirrel stuff away. I have never eaten those MRE’s yet! We always had real “down home cookin” by carryin a fully stocked pantry on board. We always rolled out with a 4 day supply of “real” food for the whole crew. We would re-stock our larder every time we went back for R&R … Rounds and Re-fuel! Engines make great food heaters too. But, Im planning a camping trip soon, and my bud is getting 2 cases of em for us. He says they’re great, especially if yer hungry. Somebody please warn me now if I’m in for gastric shock!
I remember getting the freeze dried mystery meat issued in the first Gulf War. Water Ration was tight, so the main course was essentially useless. The new stock came a bit later with warranted trepidation, but some of it was actually very good and very welcomed after six days of jumping.
Never understood the waste of space with the micro TP, matches, gum, coffee, wet nap, and all the cardboard… This all went to the trash to cut down on weight.
The Tobasco was a God send!
I was chowin’ down on C-Rats when I joined the AF in 1981. They weren’t too bad. They forced you to be a little creative in heating and flavoring (you CAN eat anything if it’s liberally laced with garlic powder and hot sauce). The only exception is the first MREs. They were a nightmare. They threw in gum, napkins, salt, crackers, etc. to distract you from the horrible mess in the entree pack. You were better off eating the napkin.
I’m sure the food is a big improvement now…but the job is still the thing.
God Bless Our Troops!
I started out with C’s then LRRP’s and MRE. I liked the C except those God awful ham and limas, Lrrps were ok if you had the time to heat water and eat. My favorite MREs were the dried beef and pork patty boiled in ramon noodles with cheese and chicken and rice with jalapeno cheese and hot sauce, but leave it up to the bean counters in DC to screw that up by saying GI’s like peanut butter instaed of cheese and they took it out of the Chicken and rice. I only gripe is they never ask the trench troops to try and advise on the new stuff. They only ask the REMFs!!! Best of both worlds 03&11B for 25 years
I liked the LRRP’s and the C-Rats. The MRE’s must be eaten cold when you are outside the wire, the smell of those chemicial heaters is like poping a smoke. I say involve the line troops in the eval process.
The best thing about MRE’S were bringing them home after annual training and selling them back to the tax payers (hunters and fishermen) and then buying beer to celebrate.
Back in the 1980′s I too had my fair share of the C-rats. Now that the MRE’s are here for us to eat, I would like to make one comment.
I am allergic to Citric Acid. I cannot eat Tomato products very well. And when you open a case of MRE’s all you find is food laced with Tomato, most of this stuff I cannot eat. So I only have about 2 choices out of a case of food.
I figure it is a cheap way of making a variety of meals, but not everyone can eat it. I usually loose weight at Annual Training, and go hungry during the two weeks. I pack snacks that I can take and usually rely on what I bring. I hope the Government will address these issues and realize some of us cannot eat the meal choices they make. Also they need better breakfast items, we got MRE’s for breakfast and lunch with only a hot meal at night. No one wants to eat a lunch/dinner choice for breakfast.
Just a thought
In 1959 we had left over 3 in 1 rations that were not very tasty, the c-rats were a great improvement. The rations kept getting better through the years. When I retired in 83 only on rare days did we get freeze dried foods. They should keep up the good work.
The old adage states that the Military buys the best (or near best) food it just takes the army cooks and Natick Labratories to screw it up.Throw away the tabasco sauce sacrilage,it the only condiment to make the “c”s and lrps halfway palatable. The solution is to go back to the times of the Roman Legions. Some cearal grains and whatever the legionare could beg borrow or steal.
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I’ll take the MRE’s any day, especially over the old “C” & “K” Rations of the 60′s, more so for the Lima Beans. When I did a short stint in the Reserves during the 80′s and we went to the field, the others in my platoon always knew who to give their MRE’s to after they signed for them. At one time I had 8 cases in a closet at home. Great food for to take along hunting or fishing. For those who still like them, they can be bought from Long Life Depot. If you like SOS, try their Tray Pack. Enough to feed 18 troops.
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