New MRE vs. old MRE

[r3126]

For the old guard... How many of you remember the light, delicate taste of ham and lima beans in the old c-rations? (Especially, when eaten cold) Or, as they were sometimes called "ham and mothas"

 

[Joe Williams]

For the old guard... How many of you remember the light, delicate taste of ham and lima beans in the old c-rations? (Especially, when eaten cold)

That was actually one I liked.

 

[USMC_0311]

I always liked the old beef stew... cold or hot.. that stuff was good.

hmm, I had you figured for the chicken ala king and the fruit salad.

 

[smitty12b]

Do they still come with the "John Wayne Bar" ?

 

[squarepeg]

Hey, do MREs have a shelf life? I thought they were like twinkies. That APack Readymeals shows 3 years. Is that the same as for a military MRE?

 

[Clay]

3 years isn't very good compared to a mil-spec MRE is it?????

 

[MACHINEGUN]

hmm, I had you figured for the chicken ala king and the fruit salad.

That's cold.. chicken ala king. Yack! I wouldn't even feed that trash to your dogs.

 

[juggaloxjj4]

location

anyone actually know where to buy any mre's

 

[4sarge]

I still have the PB & a can of crackers left over from Viet Nam. Just threw the can peaches away because they were starting to expand and the chicken & noodles (I think) I tossed in the 80's. Box was trashed from a leak in my auto trunk. May open the PB one day and have a lite nostalgic snack for old times sake. Looked like this:

C-Rations

CategoryExistence Gear Sub-CategoryRations Date1968FSN8970-577-4513SpecificationMIL-M-35048




First procured in 1961, the Meal, Combat, Individual (MCI) weighed just under 2 pounds and was produced in 12 different menus. Each menu contained approximately 1200 calories and consisted of:

• One canned meat course
• One canned fruit or cake
• One B unit can that contained crackers and either a cocoa beverage or candy
• One canned spread (peanut butter, jam or cheese spread)
• Accessory Packet containing:
  • instant coffee
  • cream substitute
  • sugar
  • salt
  • chewing gum
  • matches
  • toilet paper
  • cigarettes

Soldiers opened the cans with the P38 can opener and though the contents were typically eaten unheated, the food could be warmed using a fuel tablet. Known as C-Rations, the meals were issued to U.S. forces throughout the Vietnam War, however, the lighter weight freeze-dried LRP Ration was developed for reconnaissance teams.
Add

 

[trevor.zink]

the dehydrated lrrp (long range recon patrol) mre are the best tasting and weigh less. make sure you check expiration dates if your buying them at surplus stores

 

[scububbs]

I haven't had an MRE for a number of years, but this thread brings back fond memories of the corned beef hash. Hot or cold, with a little tobasco that was high living in the boonies!

 

[tyler34]

Hey, do MREs have a shelf life? I thought they were like twinkies. That APack Readymeals shows 3 years. Is that the same as for a military MRE?

IIRC they have a 12 year shelf life.

 

[swatdoc]

Some of the .mil MRE cases come with a "Fresh-Check TTI (Time Temperature Index)" indicator that will tell you if storage conditions have been exceeded a certain time/temperature threshold. I think that's the key determining factor for MRE storage life.

 

[Pamcake]

Does anyone have any experience with this vendor, from Indiana?
MREfoods.com?



Contact: Dave Waters
Email: sales@mrefoods.com
Phone: 812-492-1246
Fax: 812-491-3655


Mailing Address: MREfoods.com
2515 Kotter Avenue
Evansville, IN 47715

 

[Pamcake]

Comprehensive information on MRE's, from inception to current issue, is available at this website.

Such as:
The menus, and dates they were produced
links to "how to inspect"
info on the TTI (time temperature indicator) put into use in 1997
civilian MRE's
other US rations
decoding the older date codes
Bag designs (with photos), from first to the new 2008 designs
Advice on buying MRE's, with pricing info
Even some taste-test reviews!


All kinds of info you probably never wanted to know... But an extremely comprehensive site. One could peruse the pages for hours on this site. I know I did when I first found it! Am I wierd or what! LOL!

 

[trophyhunter]

Do they still come with the "John Wayne Bar" ?

Ah, the "B3" unit with the John Wayne Bar and pineapple jam, good stuff!

 

[Whiskey Lake]

MRE's are delcious..... If you're starving! Actually the non-vegetarian meals are pretty decent. If you're buying MRE's, I would definitely suggest buying the military MRE's if you can find them..