A-ration

Marine Corps-issued A-ration, colloquially known as a "bag nasty." This example contains two breakfast sandwiches, cereal, crackers with peanut butter and jam, a muffin, fresh fruit, and a drink.

A-ration is a term used in the United States armed forces for a meal provided to troops which is prepared using fresh, refrigerated, or frozen foods. By far the most popular of U.S. ration classifications, 'A' ration meals may be served in dining facilities ("DFAC"), prepared in the field by the use of field kitchens, or prepared at a fixed facility and transported to field locations in containers. Since the early years of the Continental Army, 'A' rations have been asserted as important for U.S. troop morale.

'A' rations today may include the Unitized Group Ration A (UGR-A), a hybrid meal kit designed to feed a group of 50 persons for one meal. The UGR-A has several different varieties, including a tray-based heat and serve (T-rat) form, heated by hot water immersion when a field kitchen is not available, or the express form, with a self-heating module and disposable accessories. The UGR-A used to sustain military personnel during worldwide operations that allow organized food service facilities. The UGR-A includes perishable/frozen type entrees (A-Rations) along with commercial-type components and perishable/frozen type entrees to provide the luxury of an A-Ration meal in the field, configured into individual meal modules for ease of ordering, distribution, and preparation. The UGR-A has at least 9 months shelf life (at 80 degrees F for semi-perishable modules and at 0 degrees F for perishable modules).

External links

• Website on Military Nutrition Research - This website documents more than a century of scientific inquiry conducted by, for, and about the U.S. military to promote and sustain the nutritional health of military personnel and citizens alike.