M.R.E

johnboy · June 23, 2010, 03:15:59 PM

Do we get to eat M.R.E'S at Encampment?

DC · June 23, 2010, 03:32:10 PM

Why would you want to?

Nathan · June 23, 2010, 03:47:03 PM

Generally, no, at least not at any encampment I've attended. MRE's can be kind of expensive ($6 per meal at my local military store).

In addition, they are designed to be meals you eat when you don't have anything else available, not to be a regular meal. Hence, they're designed to be stored for long periods of time, and have a lot more calories than taste.

If you wanted to try an MRE, you can probably pick some up at any military or camping store. But I doubt an encampment would shell out for them. If you go to NESA (National Emergency Service Academy), you will most likely have the chance to try a few.

capchiro · June 23, 2010, 05:31:28 PM

On the other hand, there have been MRE's at almost every encampment in Georgia since I can remember.. The cadets do love them..

CadetProgramGuy · June 23, 2010, 07:48:58 PM

The two biggest ticket items at encampments are usually food and billeting.

Last encampment I was in the planning process for, we tried to keep food to $2.00 per cadet per meal per day

Sometimes it worked, sometimes it didn't

If you are looking at 100 cadets, thats $900 per day times 6 days, $5400

Major Lord · June 23, 2010, 07:56:58 PM

You can buy MRE's at the Government rate from an Air Force Dining Facility if you have an itemized MSA ( Name and SS number for all attendees) . They will need a little prior notice. It has always amazed me that Cadets love MRE's so much, personally, I throw them away and eat the pound cake, peanut butter, cookie, etc. Of course, the heater packs have evil applications. After Hurricane Katrina, I will be happy if I never see or smell an MRE as long as I live.....

Major Lord

MSgt Van · June 23, 2010, 09:04:37 PM

I've never understood the fascination with MREs. Maybe it's because I had to consume the first generation of the darned things. Dehydrated catsup? How about a nice dehydrated pork patty (eat it dry, tastes kinda like pork jerky). The alleged chocolate cookie was like eating chocolate flavored paraffin. Nummy.

Major Lord · June 23, 2010, 09:13:05 PM

The first Gen M.R.E's were described as "three lies for the price of one" . They are a step up from C-rats, both of which are way before my time, but I have had the pleasure of dining on both.

Major Lord

MSgt Van · June 23, 2010, 09:16:32 PM

Quote from: Major Lord on June 23, 2010, 09:13:05 PM
... both of which are way before my time,

Ouch man, ouch.

capchiro · June 23, 2010, 10:05:44 PM

Believe it or not, we usually get local units to donate MRE's to us to help with encampments, or we buy them on base. More than one dining in has been over MRE's. And the cadets prefer them over pizza..

tsrup · June 23, 2010, 10:44:15 PM

I can see the thought.

When I was a cadet, eating an MRE was a novelty. It was kind of "cool".

Now they are meals of necessity. I would more than happily take chow hall "mystery meat mk.II" over an MRE.

MRE's are valuable because I can leave them in my 24/72 hr gear without worry and that way my gear is ready to go straight away. But if you have the facilities for chow to be cooked and served, then MRE should stay away. And I mean far away.

davidsinn · June 23, 2010, 10:45:27 PM

Quote from: capchiro on June 23, 2010, 10:05:44 PM
And the cadets prefer them over pizza..

You might want to trade your cadets in. They are broken.

SarDragon · June 23, 2010, 10:47:47 PM

Quote from: tsrup on June 23, 2010, 10:44:15 PM
I can see the thought.

When I was a cadet, eating an MRE was a novelty. It was kind of "cool".

Now they are meals of necessity. I would more than happily take chow hall "mystery meat mk.II" over an MRE.

MRE's are valuable because I can leave them in my 24/72 hr gear without worry and that way my gear is ready to go straight away. But if you have the facilities for chow to be cooked and served, then MRE should stay away. And I mean far away.

Oh, no, the dreaded mystery meat! With white gravy, brown gravy, or red gravy. UGH!

Major Lord · June 23, 2010, 11:04:02 PM

Kangaroo: The other, other, white meat.....

Major Lord

SarDragon · June 23, 2010, 11:21:28 PM

Oh, don't get me started.

PI, Korea, Hong Kong, Singapore, Thailand - all with local "cuisine". As long as it was fully cooked, and tasted good, I didn't ask. That's "real" mystery meat!

JC004 · June 23, 2010, 11:22:20 PM

Quote from: Major Lord on June 23, 2010, 11:04:02 PM
Kangaroo: The other, other, white meat.....

Major Lord

err...red...and pretty delicious.

ol'fido · June 23, 2010, 11:34:40 PM

Cobra Gold '89... Phitsanoluk, Thailand....T-Rat Corned Beef Hash for breakfast 35..count them! 35 days in a row!!

Al Sayre · June 24, 2010, 12:36:00 AM

We didn't call them Meals Rejected by Ethiopians for nothing...

Major Lord · June 24, 2010, 01:12:27 AM

I have been trying to find a list of the menu items in the MRE line-up, it looks like there are lots of civilian "counterfeit" MRE's out there, so someone must like them. Someone suggested to me that MRE's increase in awfulness depending on the numbers of syllables in their name, ie. "Beef Stew" good, "Chicken Tertrizzini" not so good. The vegetarian meals are the worst overall in my opinion ( I don't believe in the murder of innocent vegetables.....)

Major Lord

JC004 · June 24, 2010, 01:37:03 AM

Quote from: Major Lord on June 24, 2010, 01:12:27 AM
I have been trying to find a list of the menu items in the MRE line-up, it looks like there are lots of civilian "counterfeit" MRE's out there, so someone must like them. Someone suggested to me that MRE's increase in awfulness depending on the numbers of syllables in their name, ie. "Beef Stew" good, "Chicken Tertrizzini" not so good. The vegetarian meals are the worst overall in my opinion ( I don't believe in the murder of innocent vegetables.....)

Major Lord

http://www.mreinfo.com/