Military Rations In Afghanistan.

[torc]

Here's an interesting little article about the military rations of the various armies involved in Afghanistan.
http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2010/09/04/weekinreview/20100905_gilbertson.html
Happy trails...torc.

 

[Radix lecti]

Thanks torc,great link. Hmm...Ukraine - European Herrings in oil, thats different.Cheers
Daz

 

[Gill]

They all look good for a try, thanks for the link.

 

[Melonfish]

Heh, nothing better then american MRE's when you're out for a bit of fun, they simply are exciting to open up and explore at lunch!
i've taken them airsofting a few times and its a riot to crack open the strange brown packets to discover pound cakes, cookies (oatmeal were amazing) tootsie rolls and M&M's not to mention the crazy main meals. jalapino cheese is fantastic the strange bread they have in there can possibly be used for a bullet proof vest mind.
i'll never forget the milkshakes. just powder you add water too, absolutely cracking stuff. the drink powders work well too, if you save two of the same its perfect for your US (1 quart) canteen when full.

 

[Retired Member southey]

Thats pretty cool, I like the Ukrainian officers meal, went on an exercise to Slovenia and the food in the cook house was a surprise to say the least, cabbage soup a lump of ?meat? and some other veg and potato in a multi mash, still good solid energy though.

 

[locum76]

The Italian and South Korean ones look the best to me. The American one looks horrible - it's all a bit plasticy and brightly coloured.

 

[Paullyfuzz]

Current uk ones are good, but if you manage to find anywhere selling them then they shouldn't be selling em. Any current issue kit inc rations sjouke not be purchased as it's depriving the men and women that really need it.
I'd have no issues reporting someone that is selling current issue stuff

Paul

 

[boisdevie]

The French one was wrong - they forgot to include the red wine!

 

[Marttiini Girl]

wonder what the musk flavour candies are like

 

[launditch1]

Heh, nothing better then american MRE's when you're out for a bit of fun, they simply are exciting to open up and explore at lunch!
i've taken them airsofting a few times and its a riot to crack open the strange brown packets to discover pound cakes, cookies (oatmeal were amazing) tootsie rolls and M&M's not to mention the crazy main meals. jalapino cheese is fantastic the strange bread they have in there can possibly be used for a bullet proof vest mind.
i'll never forget the milkshakes. just powder you add water too, absolutely cracking stuff. the drink powders work well too, if you save two of the same its perfect for your US (1 quart) canteen when full.

You saw this right?http://www.mreinfo.com/us/mre/mre-dairy-shake-recall.html

 

[Retired Member southey]

Current uk ones are good, but if you manage to find anywhere selling them then they shouldn't be selling em. Any current issue kit inc rations sjouke not be purchased as it's depriving the men and women that really need it.
I'd have no issues reporting someone that is selling current issue stuff

Paul

No offence meant chap , but your wrong to assume that any current kit being sold privately is depriving anyone, a lot of kit inc current issue equip/clothing and rations are sold off as they are surplus to the planned requirement, that includes future planned req's too, obviously if you feel you should then go ahead but it's wrong to make the assumption that someone selling current kit is doing wrong.

 

[Harley]

No offence meant chap , but your wrong to assume that any current kit being sold privately is depriving anyone, a lot of kit inc current issue equip/clothing and rations are sold off as they are surplus to the planned requirement, that includes future planned req's too, obviously if you feel you should then go ahead but it's wrong to make the assumption that someone selling current kit is doing wrong.

Actually old bean, you may like to apologise yourself after doing some background checks... http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-10951769

 

[Retired Member southey]

Could you please elaborate as to what you feel I should apologise for? young wee fella me lad.

 

[budgetbus]

Actually old bean, you may like to apologise yourself after doing some background checks... http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-10951769

Because of the actions of a few, the whole "surplus" ration or surplus in general is damned ?

 

[kennyboy]

What a Godawful diet for the poor American soldier. The genius who added the tabasco sauce in the brit one deserves a medal.
Just a pity there is no steamed pudding with treacle in there.

 

[Extreme Pilgrim]

What a Godawful diet for the poor American soldier. The genius who added the tabasco sauce in the brit one deserves a medal.
Just a pity there is no steamed pudding with treacle in there.

During the Second Gulf War the MoD 'acquired' vast quantities of US MRE's to cover the shortfall in the British War Stocks. The MRE's, as do the British 'Rat Pack', comes in numerous menus and it was the influence of the American pack that led to the Brits following suit. The MoD, due to pressure, sought to bolster moral by introducing these small niceties (Tabasco) after it was learnt that the troops had been purchasing this for years to supplement their rations.

It is probably worth noting that the packs are a lot more extensive than shown in the article and I have to say that the French rations are the worst that I have ever experienced in my time.

 

[locum76]

No offence meant chap , but your wrong to assume that any current kit being sold privately is depriving anyone, a lot of kit inc current issue equip/clothing and rations are sold off as they are surplus to the planned requirement, that includes future planned req's too, obviously if you feel you should then go ahead but it's wrong to make the assumption that someone selling current kit is doing wrong.

Surplus rat pack grub is routinely distributed among the homeless.

 

[Extreme Pilgrim]

As you say, the stocks of rations held as war stock is more then sufficent to cover the troops levels on operations, with the MoD having learned a costly mistake during the outbreak of hostilities with this 'War on Terror'. As for 'kit', that is another matter. Colour/Staff Sergents, CQMS, RQMS, QM's, et al, have long been known to profit in for 'trading' stores with others under the auspice that the lads benefit from these transaction. I have known of these types to 'write off' vast stocks of bivvy bags, goretex suits and even a motorbike for their own personal financial gain. These sorts of actions in peacetime are unsavory but during war time it is just abhorrent to me. :AR15firin

 

[ScarletPimpernel]

I must confess that I preferred the old tinned rations - cheese possessed, babies heads and so on. The only thing I didn't like was the bacon grill.

Thankfully, on my recent tour in Afghanistan the food was reasonable at Camp Bastion; on the odd occasion delays in deliveries of fresh rations resulted in the chefs resorting to using compo, so burger curry and the like was a rare 'treat'.

Incidentally, both Service and MoD police have sub-units dealing with illegal sales of issued kit on eBay and the like.

 

[Laurentius]

I think essentially it is a loada bollox as the Taliban essentially own the territory and have never needed fancy rations, that was the way of it back in Victoria's reign and it is the way of it now, and if you think the "Taliban" are something new just read your Rudyard Kipling (well he does make exceedingly good cakes)