MRE

[Mortblanc]

My problem with the C-rats of our youth was the fact that everyone in the chain of supply got to pick over the rats before they got to us combat troops.

The really good items in the C-rat selection, beef steak, stewed pork and such, was eaten by the guys in rear area or the supply truck drivers.

All the while we were living on the left overs; beans and franks, spegetti and meat sauce, lima beans and ham (the famous ham and MF). I went for almost a year living on those three selections in 12 oz cans. While the ration selection list showed we had about 15 choices I never saw more that those three on a regular basis.

When on un-resupplied patrol we would allow one 1200 calorie meal per day. B2 unit of bread/biscuits and spread was breakfast, fruit unit was lunch, the deplorable meat unit was supper. All of it was consumed cold because fires were not allowed. All cans/trash carried in was carried out empty.

If you had to make the choice of carrying food or ammo on a three day mission you had no choice, you took ammo and squeezed in maybe one ration pack.