How long can a UTA/MUTA last without food?

I don’t have an answer. I am in the Air Force. We get regular breaks for food, drink, naps etc...

According to AR 30-22, The Army Food program, section 3-10 Reserve Component Sustenance Program and Table 3-1, a typical 0800-1700 2 Two MUTA Battle Assembly is only entitled to 1 meal. A Three-MUTA (overnight) 0800 to 1200 next day, is entitled to 3 meals. Yes it sucks to have extended drills...it happens for the mission, unless you are overnight, you get 1 meal. I have know of some commanders who will issue a MRE or allow a break for dinner if they intend on having a late night (like for NVG training) but I don't see a problem with the situation you had. I have been in 4 RC units and I have yet to find one where, unless impractical because of training, someone could not take a short break and hit the local coffee shop, fast food restaurant, or AAFES shoppette (with proper approval). Most Reserve Centers have vending machines, and several units run food tables to raise funds for FRG.

One day, one MRE? Sounds legit. How long can they last without food though? I'm not sure there is a requirement as long as there is a training objective. There's nothing saying that they can't do it if they are conducting training to work through a certain scenario. An MRE has a boat-load of calories and nutrition. Unless you guys were undergoing RASP...one is probably meeting the requirement.