| Midpoint | 18 Feb 2014 4:46 p.m. PST |
The Guardian compares and contrasts the different ration packs of a number of national armed forces: link
Amicalement |
| zoneofcontrol | 18 Feb 2014 5:24 p.m. PST |
Neat post. Just remember the most important sayings in both love and war: "An army marches on its…" and "The way to a man's heart is through his…" Now pass the happy meal and get out of my way! |
| tuscaloosa | 18 Feb 2014 5:29 p.m. PST |
Great Britain would appear to have different meanings than the U.S. for "sunny side up" and "over easy" as a way to order eggs. Anyhow, very interesting comparison. |
| capncarp | 18 Feb 2014 5:30 p.m. PST |
"The way to a man's heart is through his stomach," muttered the Centurion, as he fondled the hilt of his gladius. |
| jgibbons | 18 Feb 2014 6:32 p.m. PST |
OK – that is really cool… Don't join the Spanish army! |
| epturner | 18 Feb 2014 7:00 p.m. PST |
Right. I like COMPO rations and MREs. There you go. But then again, I am a Logistician by trade… 
Eric |
| 11th ACR | 18 Feb 2014 7:21 p.m. PST |
Being retired U.S. Army I have had my share of Military Rations. I liked C-Rations (C-Rat's) and MRE's (Meals Rejected by Ethiopians, Meals Reject By Every One). I have had German, UK, French, Netherlands, Australian, New Zealand, Korean (South that is) Canadian and Japanese. During the 90's they came out with what then were call "Humanitarian Rations". They had no food items that people of some religions can not eat. We had a few vegetarians in our unit so they had to be issued those. Not bad but plain. Some good and some not so good. The C-Ration I liked best was Beef in Spice Sauce, Better know as Alpo! The MRE I liked best was most likely either Beef Stew or Turkey Ala King also know as Turkey Ala Puck! Some time you would pick a meal just for the stuff that came wit it not the main item. |
| Fatman | 18 Feb 2014 8:00 p.m. PST |
How do you know a British army unit is going on deployment? Empty space on local supermarket shelves were they keep the Tabasco sauce,Soy sauce and Tea bags. Fatman |
 Legion 4  | 18 Feb 2014 10:05 p.m. PST |
An Army moves on it's stomach … |
| Gaz0045 | 19 Feb 2014 6:12 a.m. PST |
Memories of 'possessed cheese' and 'ab biscuits'. I served with a guy who would only eat tinned peas in the field……….and all that compo curry put me off of anything curried for life. Our local McD's is packed with Legionnaires at lunchtime so I don't rate the Spanish bade facilities either! |
| Marc33594 | 19 Feb 2014 6:58 a.m. PST |
While assigned to UN forces in former Yugoslavia I had a nice stash of MREs. Many of the other countries assigned there would belittle them. However when any had to go out in the field they were more than eager to barter for them as they weighed significantly less than their rations which in many cases were in cans in their packets. Very easy to just slip a few MREs into the cargo pockets of the BDUs and/or a pack and off you went. |
| nickinsomerset | 19 Feb 2014 9:03 a.m. PST |
Transferring this from the other thread! 24 Individual packs, not sure if the 10 man packs still have baby's heads, cheese possessed and other delicacies! No mention of the classic bacon and egg banjo (complete with greasy handprints) washed down with a cool Herfy! The Boss and I were visiting the Pred Det in Tazar in 96. Being me I decided to proff a load of MREs from the cookhouse before we flew back to Sarajevo (Had quite a session the night before!) I wandered up to the Boss and the US Det Commander and the whole lot fell out onto the floor! Later as we prepared to board the little plane to take us back to Sarajevo, via Italy,the CO wandered over and presented me with a great big box of MREs! Tally Ho! |
| Gaz0045 | 19 Feb 2014 9:51 a.m. PST |
MRE's were a welcome change from the same ol' same oil' that we got, but when attached to the USAF we waited eagerly for the daily visit from the burger truck…….only ex when we got fatter!! |
| Legion 4 | 19 Feb 2014 10:18 a.m. PST |
The MREs were much better than the 'nam vintage C-rats we were issued in the late '70s – early '80s … Now the 'nam LRRP rats were pretty good too … just add water ! But we used those up in the early '80s … |
| 11th ACR | 19 Feb 2014 10:37 a.m. PST |
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| Muerto | 26 Feb 2014 11:25 a.m. PST |
I shared an office with a reservist who hated his rat packs and would bring them back for me, apparently preferring to go hungry over the weekend. Here are some factoids about the Australian pack: The 'can-opener-cum-spoon' is called a FRED, where the last 3 letters stand for "ridiculous eating device". I thought they were being phased out. I liked the chocolate, but apparently it was almost universally hated. It was very hard and crumbly. It's main usage was being melted into the hot chocolate ration. The powdered cordial was salty goodness with unidentified white flakes. In fact, almost everything was salty goodness. Good times. |
