Posted on Jun 24, 2015
Field/Combat Army Rations. What Are Your Stories of Eating Chow? CHOW SHARE OF THE DAY?
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Military Rations, MREs & Food we all got to have it for survival. I always said, you can work me hard but just feed me! There I was Soldering all day in Iraq, instead of an empty stomach all I wanted was some HOT chow to keep pushing. Just gives me that replenishment to DRIVE ON WITH FOR THE MISSION/TASK AT HAND!
The military food supply, combat rations, ranging from the canned rations of World War II, Korea and Vietnam to the modern Meals, Ready to Eat (MRE) and HooAH! Bar:
Field or Combat Army Rations: C-Rations, K-Rations, D-Rations and More
Rations are fundamental to military operations. The US Army Quartermaster Corps, and equivalent units in all military services around the world, have to provide for the daily food needs of combat and support troops under all conditions. While cooked food served from field kitchens, or mess hall food at permanent bases, covers much of the need, many front line troops require special rations prepared and packaged for field use. Here are some example(inclusive):
• Military Food Supply, General
• Field Hydration
• Field and Combat Rations ◦Field Rations: C, K, D & More
◦Meal, Ready to Eat (MRE)
◦HooAH! Bar
◦First Strike Ration
• Emergency Rations ◦WW II Emergency Rations
◦Food Packet, Survival, General Purpose, Improved
◦Food Packet, Survival, Abandon Ship
◦Food Packet, Survival, Aircraft, Life Raft
◦Water, Drinking, Emergency
PO1 William "Chip" Nagel Lt Col Charlie Brown SSG Michael Noll Lt Col John (Jack) Christensen Cpl Vic Burk MAJ Dale E. Wilson, Ph.D. SGT Charlie Lee PO2 Marco Monsalve SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth ] SSG William Jones SPC Nancy Greene PO1 Tony Holland SGT Mark Anderson LTC (Join to see) SGT Steve McFarland SGT James Murphy Sgt (Join to see) LTC David Brown 1SG Dan Capri CDR Andrew McMenamin, PhD
The military food supply, combat rations, ranging from the canned rations of World War II, Korea and Vietnam to the modern Meals, Ready to Eat (MRE) and HooAH! Bar:
Field or Combat Army Rations: C-Rations, K-Rations, D-Rations and More
Rations are fundamental to military operations. The US Army Quartermaster Corps, and equivalent units in all military services around the world, have to provide for the daily food needs of combat and support troops under all conditions. While cooked food served from field kitchens, or mess hall food at permanent bases, covers much of the need, many front line troops require special rations prepared and packaged for field use. Here are some example(inclusive):
• Military Food Supply, General
• Field Hydration
• Field and Combat Rations ◦Field Rations: C, K, D & More
◦Meal, Ready to Eat (MRE)
◦HooAH! Bar
◦First Strike Ration
• Emergency Rations ◦WW II Emergency Rations
◦Food Packet, Survival, General Purpose, Improved
◦Food Packet, Survival, Abandon Ship
◦Food Packet, Survival, Aircraft, Life Raft
◦Water, Drinking, Emergency
PO1 William "Chip" Nagel Lt Col Charlie Brown SSG Michael Noll Lt Col John (Jack) Christensen Cpl Vic Burk MAJ Dale E. Wilson, Ph.D. SGT Charlie Lee PO2 Marco Monsalve SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth ] SSG William Jones SPC Nancy Greene PO1 Tony Holland SGT Mark Anderson LTC (Join to see) SGT Steve McFarland SGT James Murphy Sgt (Join to see) LTC David Brown 1SG Dan Capri CDR Andrew McMenamin, PhD
Food/Chow
Combat
Logistics
DoD
Edited 4 y ago
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 76
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2003, when we moved up to Balad (LSA Anaconda), V Corps Rear CP, they finally got the outdoor mess hall going. They served T-rats, which were ok, but the only ones they had were the breakfast rats. So you could get breakfast anytime of the day!!
I too remember C rats and still my P38. When the brown bags came out we though wow, until I got a hold of a pork patty. Some of them weren't too bad.
I don't ever remember having a bad meal, because there have been times in my life I didn't have anything to eat! I guess as long as my gut doesn't think my throat has been cut, and I can pinch a loaf the next day, well everything is ok.
I too remember C rats and still my P38. When the brown bags came out we though wow, until I got a hold of a pork patty. Some of them weren't too bad.
I don't ever remember having a bad meal, because there have been times in my life I didn't have anything to eat! I guess as long as my gut doesn't think my throat has been cut, and I can pinch a loaf the next day, well everything is ok.
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SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL
SGM Mikel Dawson it's been a minute before I last talked to you, you bringing back some vivid memories, I actually help set up LSA Anaconda back then, that place was full of old decrepit fighter jets left in the field outside of the gates. MRE was the way to go in Combat and living on them was a way of survival. Thanks for going back in time talking about C-Rations, before my time, but I remember Veterans like yourself and NAM Veterans talking about them when I wan a Private.
Maj Marty Hogan SGT (Join to see) SPC Margaret Higgins SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth CW5 Jack CardwellCOL Mikel J. Burroughs CPL Dave Hoover SSG William Jones Lt Col Charlie Brown PO1 H Gene Lawrence Lt Col John (Jack) Christensen SCPO Morris Ramsey TSgt Joe C. PVT Mark Zehner LTC (Join to see) PO1 Tony Holland PO1 William "Chip" Nagel Sgt (Join to see) LTC Stephen F.
Maj Marty Hogan SGT (Join to see) SPC Margaret Higgins SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth CW5 Jack CardwellCOL Mikel J. Burroughs CPL Dave Hoover SSG William Jones Lt Col Charlie Brown PO1 H Gene Lawrence Lt Col John (Jack) Christensen SCPO Morris Ramsey TSgt Joe C. PVT Mark Zehner LTC (Join to see) PO1 Tony Holland PO1 William "Chip" Nagel Sgt (Join to see) LTC Stephen F.
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During the early part of the unpleasantness, a guy from my unit in Vietnam son end up in Tikrit. I wrote him and told him I had their back for the things they needed from home if necessary. I shipped many requested items, many items were given to me to send, small town life is good that way. Seems after a few months of mres they really needed some condiments. So I sent him 24 bottles of Hooters hot sauce and about 25 lbs of assorted beef sticks, jerky etc from the Tillimonk smoke house. But for us old guys the coolest thing we got them was something to wash it down. We sent them a very large box of 33 beer ( The beer that was made in Vietnam.)
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Love the cold weather MREs. They have around 5000 calories and choices like lasagna and scrabble eggs with bacon. Just add hot water!!
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SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL
MSG (Join to see) Roger that, that was a good hearty meal that would getcha going!
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Ramen and a JetBoil everywhere I go. Not a big fan of plugging my colon up with MRE's.
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SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL
SSgt (Join to see) Roger that I fully understand what your saying! Thanks for the response.
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Sometimes when I see posts like this I sort of feel left out.....and sometimes feel not worthy of being in the service.....I was not in combat nor would I have ever been...I can't imagine what it's like to be in combat or deployed, but I thank all of you who do go and live through this and do all that you do. Thanks!
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SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL
Sgt Kelli Mays don't worry, I know your heart supports all that have served. I thank you sincerely for your service, the Army can be a hard life for some, when it comes to chow! I survived to tell my story with the rest of the VETERANS, all stories are special and near and dear to me.
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Full of salt and fattening. lol
I never was in combat or any where near it. I did try some MRE's from time to time.
I never was in combat or any where near it. I did try some MRE's from time to time.
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SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL
Sgt Kelli Mays I know you have a favorite MRE, I was stationed with the Air Force in Kuwait,(Combat Truckers) out of San Antonio. I know they really enjoyed them, but to think about it they had no choice either. (LOL).--Sweet!
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MCPO Roger Collins
Ah, yes, I remember the steak and lobster nights on the submarine, not to exclude the Condon Blue. Is that what you mean??????
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MCPO Roger Collins
Not true on submarines, some of the best chow you can get. OK, with the possible of the luxury branch called the USAF. However, when you near the end of a patrol, black eye peas, canned ham, powdered milk and eggs bring you back to reality.
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Some of the best and worst food ever eaten. I do miss not having to dishes or preparing meals (other than a heater or doing head-count). I the first few months of this year eating UGR-A, so when the fresh food started coming in, I thought I died and went to grocery heaven.
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SSG Ricardo Marcial
I still have my P38 from boot camp, it's on my keys and has served me well over the years. As for the food, 8 months of MRE's in '03 did it for me. If I have a choice I won't eat another again, but they have improved over the years.
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LTC John Wilson
While going though a few of my old things, I found THIS!
I wonder how many on RallyPoint have ever dined on this delicacy?
I wonder how many on RallyPoint have ever dined on this delicacy?
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SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL
LTC John Wilson thanks for sharing, I have not seen that in years. That was a favorite.-Sweet
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SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL
CPT Chris Loomis I have never heard of that one, could you explain that chow please.
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CPT Chris Loomis
SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL
An "MRE Speedball" is mixed and eaten when you need a quick energy boost.
INGREDIENTS: (All come from an MRE)
1 coffee packet
1 creamer packet
1 sugar packet
1 salt packet
1 fruit drink packet (that orange tubular drink)
1 packet white gum
Water or other liquid
PREPARATION:
Open mouth and tilt head back. Tear open all packets. Pour contents of all packets in mouth. Drop head forward and shake head embracing the nasty taste in your mouth. Drink it all down with water from hydration bladder or any other liquid. Drink 2-3 more Gulps of water. Chew gum to rid taste in mouth.
Wallah!!! Bon appetite!
It'll amp you up for about two hours and there's no "crash."
An "MRE Speedball" is mixed and eaten when you need a quick energy boost.
INGREDIENTS: (All come from an MRE)
1 coffee packet
1 creamer packet
1 sugar packet
1 salt packet
1 fruit drink packet (that orange tubular drink)
1 packet white gum
Water or other liquid
PREPARATION:
Open mouth and tilt head back. Tear open all packets. Pour contents of all packets in mouth. Drop head forward and shake head embracing the nasty taste in your mouth. Drink it all down with water from hydration bladder or any other liquid. Drink 2-3 more Gulps of water. Chew gum to rid taste in mouth.
Wallah!!! Bon appetite!
It'll amp you up for about two hours and there's no "crash."
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MRE's and T-Rations thank GOD for the Louisiana Hot sauce that came with them, and the gum.
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SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL
SPC Thomas Baldwin hot sauce with a good ole MRE just can't be beat. I used to chew that gum until my gums locked up like a MA-Deuce!
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LTC Jason Mackay
I remember the good old days where people had an extra ammo pouch on the LBE and it had salt, pepper, and a full sized Tabasco sauce bottle in it. Waaaaaaay before it started appearing UGR/T rat modules or the little ones in MREs
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LTC Jason Mackay
Heard about a flag officer with a 20mm can bolted to his vehicle packed with condiments
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As a young PFC in the 82nd, I remember a bunch of us betting the village idiot soldier that he wouldn't take 2 pieces of bread and take a bite of the sandwich made from the contents of the slop pit behind the MKT. He said he would do it for $100 and I've never seen wallets come out faster. Funniest and most disgusting thing I've seen in a LONG time. I puked just seeing it.
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