"mre" news and stories

Perhaps even more crucial to proper U.S. military training than learning how to shoot an M107, is learning how to fuel a body in order to be able to run with an M107. And the typical greasy grub and soda fountains at training camps aren't cutting it -- not to mention the candy bars oft-mistaken as sufficient energy boosters.

So a new system is entering the mess hall, adding more produce, whole grains, yogurt and granola, where sugary cereals and sausage-gravy topped biscuits once ruled the fort. Though these less-healthy standbys are still available, "color-coded labels point the way to healthy items, and drill sergeants stand watch over the chow line, calling out soldiers who don't put enough fruit on their plates" and making sure they hydrate with enough water after stacking their trays with two cups of coffee, reports the Associated Press.

MREs -- those infamous "Meals Ready to Eat" packets taken onto the field -- may also see an update. A typical pack now contains an entrée of spaghetti or beef stew; a side of rice or mashed potatoes; crackers; cheese or peanut butter spread; a dessert of cookies or pound cake; candies like Skittles or Tootsie Rolls (a standard since World War II, in fact, for its non-melting qualities); and beverage mixes like Gatorade or coffee. On average, these run 1,250 calories (13% protein, 36% fat, 51% carbohydrates), states MREinfo.com. So perhaps more pressure-packed whole grains and veggies are in the future?

If you've ever had to eat a Meal, Ready-to-Eat (MRE), my heart goes out to you. From what I've heard, they're not the greatest.

But the Army is trying to change that (though whether they've succeeded is up in the air). They recently offered the new meals, which will go to soldiers fighting in Afghanistan in the next few months, to guests at a Pentagon tasting. And the results? Decidedly mixed.

Not surprisingly, the Washington Post author who tried the food was less than impressed, having grown used to cushy civilian food. But several of the soldiers - some from WWII and some from Iraq and Afghanistan, and most likely used to much worse offerings - deemed it edible and, in some cases, almost decent, which is definitely an improvement .

New meals included chicken pesto pasta, beef teriyaki, and barbecued pork wrap, among others. The meals have increased in quantity and quality since the 1980s and late '90s, and definitely since WWII, where one vet interviewed said they fed the soldiers "eggs cooked in flour."

Some interesting facts I didn't know about MREs: they come in several vegetarian options; each meal is approximately 1,200 calories; and the meals must be able to withstand parachute drops of about 1,200 feet. Oh - and they have a shelf life of about 18 months.

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Due to deployed soldiers losing large amounts of weight the MRE is being re-designed. The MRE has been reformulated several times since they were introduced. Mainly to improve the flavor, something that is sorely lacking in the indestructible and almost inedible "food." I have tasted several generations of the MRE going back to when it replaced C-Rations in 1980. I was first in Air Force JROTC in high school and then in Army ROTC in college and we ate many an MRE. At first they were fun, a solid bag filled with food and little treats.

But when we were on exercises for a few days they quickly lost their novelty. We would trade them around, trying to see who had the best meal and started calling them Meals, Rarely Edible and other more disparaging names. I was partial to the BBQ on crackers for a few days until my digestive system went on strike. I never received my commission in the Army because I broke my neck just before finishing my training. That accident saved me from having to eat thousands of the damn nasty things over the years and while I regretted not serving my country, I don't regret the absence of MRE's in my life.

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