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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 news media nickname "Meals Ready for Ebay."<ref name="Associated Press 2005-10-30">{{cite news | first = Lara Jakes | last = Jordan | title = U.S. investigates sale of MREs on eBay | date = [[2005-10-30]] | publisher = USA Today | url = http://www.usatoday.com/tech/news/2005-10-30-mre-ebay_x.htm | work = USA Today | accessdate = 2007-03-01 }}</ref> Some cases are being sold from Louisiana, Mississippi, Florida and other Gulf states affected by Katrina. The internal cost of a 12 pack case of MREs is $86.98 (approx. $7.25 a meal) to the government, much higher than what is actually paid to vendors. 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.<ref name="Associated Press 2005-10-30" /> As a result of earlier unauthorized sales to civilians, the Department of Defense had required that "U.S. Government Property, Commercial Resale is Unlawful" be printed on each case of MREs.<ref name='GAO-06-410R'>{{ cite journal | title = Investigation: Military Meals, Ready-To-Eat Sold on eBay | journal = United States Government Accountability Office | date = 2006-02-13 | pages = 2-3 | url = http://www.gao.gov/new.items/d06410r.pdf | format = PDF | accessdate = 2007-03-01 }}</ref>
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 news media nickname "Meals Ready for Ebay."<ref name="Associated Press 2005-10-30">{{cite news | first = Lara Jakes | last = Jordan | title = U.S. investigates sale of MREs on eBay | date = [[2005-10-30]] | publisher = USA Today | url = http://www.usatoday.com/tech/news/2005-10-30-mre-ebay_x.htm | work = USA Today | accessdate = 2007-03-01 }}</ref> Some cases are being sold from Louisiana, Mississippi, Florida and other Gulf states affected by Katrina. The internal cost of a 12 pack case of MREs is $86.98 (approx. $7.25 a meal) to the government, much higher than what is actually paid to vendors. 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.<ref name="Associated Press 2005-10-30" /> As a result of earlier unauthorized sales to civilians, the Department of Defense had required that "U.S. Government Property, Commercial Resale is Unlawful" be printed on each case of MREs.<ref name='GAO-06-410R'>{{ cite journal | title = Investigation: Military Meals, Ready-To-Eat Sold on eBay | journal = United States Government Accountability Office | date = 2006-02-13 | pages = 2-3 | url = http://www.gao.gov/new.items/d06410r.pdf | format = PDF | accessdate = 2007-03-01 }}</ref>

That said, MRE can be purchased by civilians directly from the contractors who supply MREs to the U.S. Government. These MREs are very similar to genuine US Government MREs, differing only in minor details (i.e. design of case and bag or type of spoon).




Revision as of 08:39, 1 March 2008

An MRE packet, containing a spaghetti with meat sauce main course.

The Meal, Ready-to-Eat, or MRE (pronounced "M-R-E") is a self-contained, individual field ration in lightweight packaging procured by the United States military for its service-members 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 LRRP ration developed by the U.S. Army for Special Forces and U.S. Army Ranger patrol units in Vietnam.

Requirements

Each meal provides approximately 1,200 Calories (1,200 kcal or 5,000 kJ). General contents include: a main course high in starch; crackers; a cheese, peanut butter, or jelly spread; a dessert or snack; powdered beverage mix; an accessory packet; a plastic spoon; a beverage bag; and a flameless ration heater (FRH). However, not every MRE contains all listed items. They are intended to be eaten for a maximum of twenty-one days, and have a shelf life of three years (depending on storage conditions).[1]

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 the foil, which can be easily punctured, conducts heat, and may give away a soldier's position.[2]

In 2006, "Beverage Bags" were introduced to the MRE, as soldiers in Iraq depended more on CamelBaks than canteens. Soldiers have a metal canteen cup in one of their canteen holders, and used this to mix the drink portion of the MRE. Since more and more soldiers are using CamelBaks and don't have their canteen cups, the Beverage Bags were intended to fill this role. In addition to having marks on the bag to indicate levels of water for precise measurement, they can be sealed and placed inside the flameless heater, to heat the liquid.

Each MRE weighs 380 to 510 g (13 to 18 oz) depending on the menu.

Resale status

Each MRE is labeled:

U.S. Government Property Commercial Resale is Unlawful

However there are no specific laws that forbid the resale of MRE's [3], and although the government has attempted to discourage sellers from selling MRE's[4], auction sites such as eBay have continued to allow auctions of the MRE's because the Defense Department has been unable to show them any regulations or laws specifically outlawing the practice. According a spokesman for eBay, "until a law is passed saying you can't sell these things, we're not going to stop them from being sold on the site"[5]


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 news media nickname "Meals Ready for Ebay."[6] Some cases are being sold from Louisiana, Mississippi, Florida and other Gulf states affected by Katrina. The internal cost of a 12 pack case of MREs is $86.98 (approx. $7.25 a meal) to the government, much higher than what is actually paid to vendors. 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.[6] As a result of earlier unauthorized sales to civilians, the Department of Defense had required that "U.S. Government Property, Commercial Resale is Unlawful" be printed on each case of MREs.[7]

That said, MRE can be purchased by civilians directly from the contractors who supply MREs to the U.S. Government. These MREs are very similar to genuine US Government MREs, differing only in minor details (i.e. design of case and bag or type of spoon).


Flameless Ration Heaters are prohibited on commercial airlines unless sealed in the original MRE menu bag, due to the hydrogen fumes yielded by the chemical process of cooking with them.

MRE contents

An MRE contains a main course, side dish, bread, dessert, and flameless ration heater.
  • Main course
  • Side dish
  • Dessert
  • Cracker or bread
  • Spread
  • Beverage powder
  • Utensils
  • Accessories (chewing gum, matches, toilet paper...)

MRE Main Courses

  • MRE I (1981) ~ MRE V (1985)
    • Pork Patty
    • Ham & Chicken loaf
    • Beef Patty
    • Beef slices in BBQ sauce
    • Beef stew
    • Frankfurters with beans (nicknamed "Four Fingers of Death"); beans with tomato sauce in separate bag.
    • Turkey diced with gravy (nicknamed "Wild Turkey Surprise" by Infantry troops)
    • Beef diced with gravy
    • Chicken a la King
    • Meatballs & BBQ sauce
    • Ham slices
    • Beef ground with spiced sauce
    • Chicken loaf (a plain chicken loaf unlike the Ham and Chicken Loaf)
  • MRE VII-1993
    • Omelet with ham.
  • MRE XXV (2005)
    • Grilled Beefsteak with mushroom gravy
    • BBQ Pork rib
    • Beef ravioli
    • Cheese & veggie omelet
    • Chicken breast fillet
    • Chicken fajita
    • Chicken with salsa
    • Hamburger patty
    • Beef stew
    • Chili with macaroni
    • Penne with vegetable sausage in spicy tomato sauce (Vegetarian)
    • Veggie burger in BBQ sauce (Vegetarian)
    • Cheese tortellini (Vegetarian)
    • Vegetable Manicotti (Vegetarian)
    • 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
    • Thai Chicken in sauce
  • MRE XXVI (2006)
    1. Chili w/Beans
    2. Pork Rib
    3. Beef Ravioli
    4. Cheese & Veggie Omelet
    5. Chicken Breast
    6. Chicken Fajita
    7. Chicken w/Salsa
    8. Beef Patty
    9. Beef Stew
    10. Tuna
    11. Spicy Penne Pasta
    12. Veggie Burger w/BBQ Sauce
    13. Cheese Tortellini
    14. Vegetable Manicotti
    15. Beef Enchilada
    16. Chicken w/Noodles
    17. Sloppy Joe
    18. Cajun Rice & Sausage
    19. Beef Roast w/Vegetables
    20. Spaghetti w/Meat Sauce
    21. Chili And Macaroni
    22. Jambalaya
    23. Chicken w/Cavatelli
    24. Meatloaf w/Gravy
  • MRE XXVI (2007)
    1. Chili w/Beans
    2. Pork Rib
    3. Beef Ravioli
    4. Cheese & Veggie Omelet
    5. Chicken Breast
    6. Chicken w/Noodles
    7. Chicken w/Salsa
    8. Beef Patty
    9. Beef Stew
    10. Tuna in Pouch
    11. Vegetable Manicotti
    12. Veggie Burger w/BBQ Sauce
    13. Cheese Tortellini
    14. Spicy Penne Pasta
    15. Beef Enchilada
    16. Chicken Fajita
    17. Sloppy Joe Filling
    18. Meatballs w/Marinara
    19. Pot Roast w/Vegetables
    20. Spaghetti w/Meat Sauce
    21. Chili And Macaroni
    22. Chicken w/Dumplings
    23. Chicken w/Cavatelli
    24. Meatloaf w/Gravy
  • MRE XXVI (2008)
    1. Chili w/Beans
    2. Pork Rib
    3. Beef Ravioli
    4. Cheese & Veggie Omelet
    5. Chicken Breast
    6. Chicken w/Noodles
    7. Meatloaf w/Gravy
    8. Beef Patty
    9. Beef Stew
    10. Chili & Macaroni
    11. Vegetable Lasagna
    12. Veggie Burger w/BBQ Sauce
    13. Cheese Tortellini
    14. Spicy Penne Pasta
    15. Beef Enchilada
    16. Chicken Fajita
    17. Sloppy Joe Filling
    18. Meatballs w/Marinara
    19. Pot Roast w/Vegetables
    20. Spaghetti w/Meat Sauce
    21. Tuna in Pouch
    22. Chicken w/Dumplings
    23. Chicken Pesto & Pasta
    24. Chicken w/Salsa

Criticism

The entrees are high-energy, high-calorie meal portions that are designed to be hearty and satisfying. Examples of some entrees found in modern MREs are: Pork Rib, Chicken Fajita, Beefsteak with Mushrooms, and Beef Enchilada. Modern MREs also include candy such as M&Ms or Skittles. It should also be noted that there are satisfying vegetarian alternatives such as Alfredo Pasta and Cheese Tortellini. Each modern MRE also includes either a dairy shake, hot cocoa mix, or fruit-flavored beverage mix. Also, Taster's Choice instant coffee is provided in almost every MRE pack (with the only exception being vegetarian MREs, which substitute instant apple cider mix instead).

Some of the early MRE main courses were not very palatable, earning them the nicknames "Mr. E" (mystery),[8] "Meals Rejected by Everyone",[9] "Meals, Rarely Edible",[10] "Meals Rejected by the Enemy", "Morsels, Regurgitated, Eviscerated", "Meals Refusing to Excrete", "Meal, Ready to Excrete", and even "Meals Rejected by Ethiopians"[11]. 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".[9] Although quality has improved over the years, many of the nicknames have stuck. MREs were often called "Three Lies for the Price of One"[12] - 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".[13] 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 egestion.

Reportedly, the 'Charms' (colored candies that only occasionally come with MREs) are considered bad luck by the U.S. military (especially if actually eaten).[14] 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 one's comrades uneasy).

In December of 2006 comedian Al Franken (on his 8th USO tour at the time) joked to troops in Iraq that he'd had his fifth MRE so far and "none of them had an exit strategy".[15]

Army wags have taken to calling the MRE's toilet paper "John Wayne". This is said to be because "it's rough, it's tough, and it don't take shit from nobody". See List of U.S. Army acronyms and expressions.

The National Guard has provided MREs to the public during National Disasters such as Hurricane Frances, Hurricane Jeanne, and Hurricane Katrina.

Alternative uses

A pastime for troops in the field is to make small explosive devices from the material inside an MRE.[16] The hydrogen produced from the FRH (flameless ration heater) is captured in the same manner as in a dry ice bomb, causing the expanding hydrogen to eventually rupture the bottle explosively. Most of the leadership frown upon this practice 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. Another method of passing time is to put the tabasco sauce that comes in the MRE into the FRH, the effects being similar to pepper spray.[17] In addition, the coffee creamer included in most MRE accessory packs is highly flammable.[citation needed]

Another pastime of soldiers in the field is to create a breakfast concoction called "Ranger Pudding". It consists of taking the cocoa and the non-dairy creamer provided in an MRE, adding a small amount of water and mixing it inside a soldier's canteen cup.

In the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina and Hurricane Rita in 2005, a large number of civilians were exposed to MREs, prompting several jokes during the recent New Orleans Mardi Gras with revellers donning clothing made of MRE packets with phrases such as "MRE Antoinette" and "Man Ready to Eat".

References

  1. ^ Peggy Milhelich (2007-09-13). "Grub, chow, mystery meat - combat food 2.0". CNN.com. Retrieved 2007-09-14.
  2. ^ http://www.fdp.com/content.php?s=FP/2005/09&p=15
  3. ^ http://www.gao.gov/new.items/d06410r.pdf
  4. ^ http://www.mreinfo.com/us/mre/us-govt.-vs.-ebay-auctions.html
  5. ^ http://news.zdnet.com/2100-1035_22-6040777.html
  6. ^ a b Jordan, Lara Jakes (2005-10-30). "U.S. investigates sale of MREs on eBay". USA Today. USA Today. Retrieved 2007-03-01. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  7. ^ "Investigation: Military Meals, Ready-To-Eat Sold on eBay" (PDF). United States Government Accountability Office: 2–3. 2006-02-13. Retrieved 2007-03-01.
  8. ^ ""POGs, Chow and Leave"". sixty-six.org. 2005-12-21. Retrieved 2007-02-11.
  9. ^ a b Severson, Kim (2003-04-07). "A lot of cooks in the MRE kitchen". San Francisco Chronicle. pp. A-20. Retrieved 2007-02-11. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  10. ^ McKenna, Tech. Sgt. Pat (1998-04-01). "Lean, Mean Fighting Cuisine". Airman Magazine. Air Force News Agency. Retrieved 2007-02-11. {{cite news}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  11. ^ "Meal, Ready to Eat". cobolhacker.com. 2006-10-3. Retrieved 2007-02-11. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  12. ^ Bazelon, Emily (2006-09-27). "What Is Torture? An interactive primer on American interrogation". Slate. pp. Taxonomy of Torture: Dietary Manipulation. Retrieved 2007-02-11. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help); Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)
  13. ^ "Meal, ready to eat". Retrieved 2007-02-11.
  14. ^ Evan Wright (2004). Generation kill: Devil Dogs, Iceman, Captain America, and the new face of American war. New York, NY: G.P. Putnam's Sons. p. 83. ISBN 0-399-15193-1.
  15. ^ http://www.blackanthem.com/News/International_21/Al_Franken_delivers_message_and_entertainment_for_deployed_troops2802.shtml
  16. ^ http://www.tommym1080.com/journal/april16_30.htm
  17. ^ http://www.bucksargent.net/2006/04/operation-enduring-boredom-episode-xi.html

See also

See generally

Wikimedia Commons has media related to MREs.
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