American MREs are complete, ready-to-eat individual rations designed to feed a soldier during a meal in the field. They are designed to be sturdy, compact, high-calorie and can be stored for several years under difficult conditions.
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A MRE stands for Meal, Ready-to-Eat: everything is already cooked, all you have to do is open the sachets and, if necessary, heat up the main course with a self-heating system. On average, each ration provides around 1,200 to 1,300 kcal, enough to sustain around 8 to 12 hours of sustained activity, depending on requirements and the combination with other meals.
They were introduced in the early 1980s to replace the old metal box rations (type C/MCI), offering lighter, quieter packaging that was easier to transport and open in the field.
An MRE is a flexible, rectangular pack made of very strong, watertight plastic, about 24-30 cm long, 14-20 cm wide and 6-7 cm thick.
Depending on the menu, the weight is around 650-900 g, which is relatively compact for a complete meal including main course, side dishes and accessories.
A standard ration generally includes :
A sterilized main course (pasta, beef with tomato sauce, chili, chicken, etc.).
A starch or side dish (rice, mashed potatoes, crackers/salted cookies), a dessert or pastry, a spread (melted cheese, peanut butter, jam), sweets or a sweet snack.
Powdered drinks (energy drinks, coffee, flavored drinks), as well as a kit of accessories: plastic cutlery, napkins, salt, pepper, sometimes hot sauce, chewing gum, matches, wipes, etc.
MREs generally incorporate a flameless chemical ration heater: simply add a little water to a pouch containing a heating sachet and slip the dish in to enjoy it hot.
This system makes it possible to dispense with a conventional stove, which limits the thermal and visual signature, and simplifies use in combat or emergency situations, even when the environment forbids open fires.
The average energy value of an MRE is around 1,250 kcal, with a typical breakdown of around 13% protein, 36% lipids and 51% carbohydrates, to provide both quick energy and long-term calories.
In operations, a soldier generally consumes several MREs a day (often the equivalent of around 3,600 kcal/day) or combines them with other types of rations to cover the high requirements linked to prolonged physical effort.
The U.S. Army offers around twenty different MRE menus (approximately 24 menus), in order to vary tastes and limit food fatigue among troops over long periods.
For advanced units, there are also the more compact “First Strike Rations”, covering the equivalent of three meals a day in a lighter version and mainly consumable cold, intended for highly mobile missions.
** in a relay point in mainland France
