1. Ohio Army National Guard
SGT Cochensparger
109 East South Street
Saint Marys, OH, 45885
(419)

2. MRE Briefing Outline What is an MRE? MRE Development History
MRE Development History continued…
Types of Feedings
What’s in an MRE?
How long do MRE’s last?
How do you eat an MRE?

3. What is an MRE? The MRE stands for Meal Ready to Eat
It is a self-contained complete meal
Inside each MRE is an entrée and a variety of other food and drink items
One MRE= One meal
Does not include soldiers in an alert status or performing scheduled CONUS IDT or Annual Training.

4. MRE Development History
In the beginning of the Revolutionary War, the colonies fed their own Militia
Once the Army had grown, the problem of feeding the militia had become very difficult.
The earliest legislation fixing the components of the Army ration was passed November 4, 1775
The first ration contained the following components:
16 Oz. of beef
18 Oz. of flour
16 Oz. of milk
1 qt. of spruce beer
6.8 Oz. of peas
1.4 Oz. of rice
.1830 Oz. of soap
Candle

5. MRE Development History
The military made several more changes to the way they fed the troops throughout the years
The War of 1812
20 oz. of beef
18 oz. of flour
1 gill of rum (1 gill= 4 oz.)
1 gill of vinegar
.64 oz. salt
soap and a candle
Eventually coffee and sugar substituted for rum.
The military changed rations during the Mexican War, Civil War, World War I and II, Operation Desert Storm, and Vietnam.

6. MRE Development History
During World War I and II, soldiers carried their food in cans in their pack
What is the problem with this?
Soon after the wars, the inadequacies of the current rations were recognized.
They lacked in Vitamin A and C
Vitamin A is good for what?
Vitamin C is good for what?

7. MRE Development History
The somewhat modern MRE was adopted as the Department of Defense combat ration in 1975
Received the concept of the modern MRE from NASA.
They tested the MRE’s on the 25th Infantry Division for 34 days
The soldiers ate MRE’s 3 times a day
They added a chocolate bar, which was only 4 ounces, but equaled 2400 calories.
What will that do to your body?

8. Types of Feedings
Unit Feeding: Kitchen equipment is provided for the unit for cooking and preparing food. This is considered the normal situation feeding
Small Detachment Feeding: Normal kitchen facilities cannot be used, but the rations required can be furnished.
Individual Feeding: No kitchen assets are available and no food or bulk rations are available. Modern day MRE.

9. What’s in an MRE? Entrée: the main course
Side dish: rice, corn, fruit, mashed potatoes, etc…
Cracker or bread
Spread: Peanut butter, jelly, or cheese
Dessert: cookies or pound cake
Candy: M & M’s, skittles, or tooties rolls
Beverages
Hot sauce or seasoning
Flameless ration: Powered food grade iron, magnesium, and sodium
Accessories: spoon, matches, creamer, sugar, salt, chewing gum, TOILET PAPER

10. Modern Day MRE
Each MRE contains an average of 1,250 calories (13% protein, 36% fat, and 51% carbohydrates) and 1/3 of the Military recommended daily allowance of vitamins and minerals.
There are 24 menus currently available
A full day’s worth of meals consisted of 3 MRE’s.

11. How long do MRE’s last?
Officially, MRE’s are designed to have a shelf life of three years when stored at 80 degrees F.
These times can be lengthened or shortened depending on their storage temperatures
Higher Temperatures = shorter MRE lifespan.

12. How do you eat an MRE?
True to it’s name, the MRE is “Meal Ready to Eat.”
Everything can be consumed without cooking or heating
But the food tastes better when heated and beverages taste better with water.
Let’s eat an MRE to see what it tastes like…

13. For 370 Years - The Country’s Most Enduring Institution
Questions?
For 370 Years - The Country’s Most Enduring Institution

14. My turn to ask you questions…
Q & A
My turn to ask you questions…

15. Thank You Ohio Army National Guard SGT Darren Cochensparger
(419)