ARMY NATIONAL GUARD Recruiter info here STEM CAREERS

WITH THE NATIONAL GUARD Science and Chemistry Who knows what this is? WITH THE NATIONAL GUARD

Citizen Soldiers Say

Meal, Ready to Eat History Mission Key Features of the MRE Contents Science of the MRE Chemistry Flameless Ration Heaters

History The MRE replaced the C-Ration in the early 1980s. Unlike previous ration concepts, each MRE is intended as a single meal. Based on lessons learned from annual field tests, the MRE has been continuously improved in both form and function. Over 241 new ration items have been included since 1983 A Flameless Ration Heater was introduced in 1993, allowing Warfighters to heat their meals without the need for bulky equipment or dangerous field expedients Ergonomic Beverage Pouches allow Warfighters to mix and consume beverages more easily SINCE 1636

ALWAYS READY, ALWAYS THERE Mission The Meal, Ready to Eat™ is the primary individual ration of the U.S. Armed Forces. The balanced nutrition and low logistical burden of the MRE™ give America’s Warfighters the ability to fight and win in any environment. is a self-contained, individual field ration in lightweight packaging bought by the United States military for its service members for use in combat or other field conditions where organized food facilities are not available. ALWAYS READY, ALWAYS THERE

Key Features Shelf Life: The MRE has a guaranteed shelf life of 3 years at 80°F (27°C), or for 6 months at 100°F (38°C). Nutrition: Each MRE provides approximately 1200 calories, composed of 169g of carbohydrates, 46g of protein, and 16g of fat for the energy needed to accomplish any mission. Logistics: Durable packaging allows the MRE to be transported anywhere in the world. MREs can be safely airdropped by parachute, free-dropped from 100 feet, and subjected to rough handling and extreme temperature swings

Contents The MRE is issued in a durable tan plastic bag. Inside, each MRE provides an entrée, an assortment of sides and bakery items, dehydrated beverages, and an accessory pack that includes gum, tissue, a moist towelette, and seasoning. In addition, nearly all MREs include a Flameless Ration Heater.

WITH THE NATIONAL GUARD Science and Chemistry WITH THE NATIONAL GUARD

Flameless Ration Heater Is a water-activated exothermic chemical heater included with Meals, Ready-to-Eat (MREs), used to heat the food. US military specifications for the heater required that it be capable of raising the temperature of an 8 ounces (226.8 g) entree by 100 °F (56 °C) in twelve minutes, and that it has no visible flame. The ration heater contains finely powdered iron and magnesium metals, and table salt. To activate the reaction, a small amount of water is added, and the boiling point of water is quickly reached as the reaction proceeds.[1]

Chemical Reaction Ration heaters generate heat in an electron-transfer process called an oxidation-reduction reaction. Water oxidizes magnesium metal, according to the following chemical reaction: To accelerate the reaction, the developers mixed metallic iron particles and table salt (NaCl) with the magnesium particles. Iron and magnesium metals, when suspended in an electrolyte (such as salt water), form a galvanic cell -- a "battery" -- that can generate electricity. When water is added to a ration heater, it dissolves the salt to form a salt-water electrolyte, thereby turning each particle of magnesium and iron into a tiny battery. Because the magnesium and iron particles are in contact, they become thousands of tiny short-circuited batteries, which quickly burn out, producing heat in a process the patent holders call "Supercorroding Galvanic Cells".

Operating Instructions 1. Remove MRE pouch from carton and save carton.  2. Tear off top of bag. Place MRE pouch in bag with heater. 

Operating Instructions 3. While holding MRE pouch and heater above lines on bag, pour water into bag until it reaches a level between lines. Slide heater and MRE to bottom of bag, and fold top of bag to side opposite heater

Operating Instructions 4. With heater UNDERNEATH MRE, hold bag level for a minute to let heater soak up water. 5. Stuff assembly into carton with top of bag folded over top of MRE and heater underneath.

Operating Instructions 6. To prevent water from escaping and to maximize heat output, always keep: .HEATER located UNDERNEATH MRE; .BAG folded OVER TOP of MRE; and .CARTON INCLINED, with FOLDED END of bag UP. After ten to fifteen minutes (depending on air temperature) top half of bag can be torn off and the MRE can be removed and eaten.

Practical Exercise Let’s Begin

ALWAYS READY ALWAYS THERE Citizen Soldiers ALWAYS READY ALWAYS THERE

What branch of U.S. military service is the oldest? When was the National Guard Founded? What does MRE stand for? How many calories are in a MRE? What’s the shelf life of a MRE? What is the chemical reaction called? What is the exothermic chemical heater called? How hot does a Flameless Ration Heater get? How long does it take to reach 100 F? What three elements are used in the Flameless Ration Heater? What the only branch of service that has a state and federal misson?

Connect with the National Guard WWW.NATIONALGUARD.COM