United States military ration

United States military ration

United States military ration refers to the food given to feed its armed forces.__TOC__

History

18th and 19th centuries

From the Revolutionary War to the Spanish-American War, the United States army ration, as decreed by the Continental Congress, was the "garrison ration" which consisted of meat (or salt fish), bread, and vegetables.

There was also a spirit ration. In 1785, it was set at 4 oz. of rum, reduced to 2 oz. of whiskey, brandy, or rum in 1790. In 1794, troops about to enter combat or who were engaged in frontier service could receive a double ration of 4 oz. of rum or whiskey; this was extended in 1799 to include troops engaged in fatigue duties. It was discontinued in 1832 and replaced with a ration of coffee and sugar, which was increased in 1836. In 1846, a spirit ration was reinstated for issue to troops engaged in construction or surveying duties; this was discontinued in 1865.

World War I

In World War I three types of rations came into usage by the American forces: "the Reserve ration", "the Trench ration", and "the Emergency ration" (also known as the "Iron ration").

"Iron Ration" (1907-1922)

The first attempt to make an individual ration for issue to soldiers in the field was the "iron ration", first introduced in 1907. It consisted of three 3-ounce cakes (made from a concoction of beef boullion powder and parched and cooked wheat), three 1-ounce bars of sweetened chocolate, and packets of salt and pepper that was issued in a sealed tin packet that weighed one pound. It was designed for emergency use when the troops were unable to be supplied with food. It was later discontinued by the adoption of the "Reserve Ration" but its findings went into the development of the emergency D-ration.

"Trench Ration" (1917-1918)

This ration was issued in the early part of the war to address a problem. Soldiers fighting in the front lines needed to be supplied with their daily rations, but cooked food prepared at field kitchens were sometimes spoiled by gas attacks. The trench ration was the answer. It was a variety of canned meats (salmon, corned beef, sardines, etc.) that were commercially procured and sealed in a large tin box covered in canvas. It was bulky and heavy and the soldiers began to get weary of the limited menu and it was soon replaced by the Reserve Ration.

"Reserve Ration" (1917-1937)

This was a ration issued during the latter part of World War I to feed troops who were away from a garrison or field kitchen. It originally consisted of 12 ounces of fresh Bacon or one pound of canned meat (usually Corned Beef), two 8-ounce cans of hard bread or hardtack biscuits, a packet of 1.16 ounces of pre-ground coffee, a packet of 2.4 ounces of granulated sugar, and a packet of 0.16 ounces of salt. There was also a separate "tobacco ration" of 0.4 ounces of tobacco and 10 cigarette rolling papers, later replaced by brand-name machine-rolled cigarettes. After the war, there were attempts to improve the ration based on input from the field. In 1922, the ration was reorganized to consist of 1 pound of meat (usually beef jerky), 3 ounces of canned Corned Beef or chocolate, 14 ounces of hard bread or hardtack biscuits, coffee and sugar. In 1925, the meat ration was replaced with canned Pork & Beans. In 1936, there was an attempt at variety by having an "A"-menu of Corned Beef and a "B"-menu of Pork & Beans. This was cancelled after it was superseded by the later Field Ration, Type C in 1938.

Field Rations during World War II

After 1918, the army ration system went through several revisions, eventually leading to the:

* "A-ration": Garrison Ration. Fresh, refrigerated, or frozen food prepared in dining halls or field kitchens. The most valued of all rations.
* "B-ration": Field Ration. Canned, packaged, or preserved foods normally prepared in field kitchens.
* "C-ration": Individual Ration. A complete pre-cooked, ready-to-eat canned individual meal.
* "K-ration": Individual Ration. Designed as a short duration individual "assault" ration for paratroopers and other specialized light infantry forces. Declared obsolete in 1948.
* "D-ration": Emergency Ration. Bars of concentrated chocolate combined with other ingredients to provide high calorie content (intended as an emergency ration).

A-rations were generally whatever meat and produce could be obtained locally, so there could be incredible variety from one theatre of operations to the next. B-rations were generally used when there was inadequate refrigeration for perishable A-rations. The composition of the D-ration did not change much throughout the war but the C-ration developed many variations.

A- and B-rations were only served at bases or established camps in rear areas as they require cooking. C-rations could be eaten hot or cold and required no special preparation or storage, so these could be served almost anywhere.

During the war a new ration for assault troops, the 2,830 calorie "K-ration", was developed. K-rations were originally intended to be used as short duration rations for only 2-3 days, but cost concerns and later standardization led to its overuseKearny, Cresson H. (Maj), "Jungle Snafus...And Remedies", Oregon Institute (1996), pp. 292-293] , contributing in some cases to vitamin deficiencies and malnourishment.

There were various other special rations developed for specific circumstances, including:
* "Type X Ration"
* "5-in-1 Ration"
* "10-in-1 Ration"
* "Mountain ration" 4,800 calories, discontinued 1943
* "Jungle ration" 4,000 calories, discontinued 1943
* "The Assault Lunch" - Chocolate bars, caramels, dried fruit, chewing gum, peanuts, salt tablets, cigarettes, matches, and water-purification tablets; total of 1,500-2,000 calories, discontinued 1947
* "The Assault ration" (Pacific Theater) - 28 pieces of assorted hard candy, chewing gum, cigarettes and a chocolate peanut bar [Henry, Mark R. and Chappell, Mike, "The US Army in World War II (1): The Pacific", Osprey Publishing (2000), ISBN 1855329956, 9781855329959, pp. 20-21]
* "The Aircrew Lunch"
* "The AAF Combat Lunch"
* "Parachute Emergency Ration"
* "Liferaft Ration"
* "Airborne Lifeboat Ration"

Some of these specialized rations were discontinued during the war due to cost concerns, forcing commanders to adopt standardized rations in their place. The K- and D-rations were declared obsolete after World War II but canned wet rations in the form of the C-ration (later the MCI) continued until 1983, when they were replaced by the Meal, Ready-to-Eat (MRE). A similar ration is the TOTM. A- and B-rations are still used today.

The traditional military hot breakfast is chipped beef on toast, which is commonly referred to as "Shit On a Shingle" (SOS).

Current

Currently, the following food is available to troops:

* A-ration: fresh food prepared on-site (or nearby and transported)
* B-ration: a unit-sized packaged/preserved ration, most commonly found in tray rations (nicknamed T-rat) heated by immersion.
* Meal, Ready-to-Eat: the standard individual field ration
* First Strike Ration: an individual ration designed to be edible while on the move
* HOOAH! Bar: energy bar (the spiritual successor to the D-ration) , found in some menus of MREs

ee also

* Foods of the American Civil War
* C-ration
* Combat ration
* Jungle ration
* K-ration
* LRP ration
* Meal, Combat, Individual ration (MCI)
* Meal, Ready-to-Eat (MRE)
* Mountain ration

Notes

External links

* [http://nsc.natick.army.mil/media/print/OP_Rations.pdf "Operational Rations of the Department of Defense", 7th Edition]
* [http://www.qmfound.com/army_rations_historical_background.htm Quartermaster Museum]
* [http://www.olive-drab.com/od_rations.php Military Rations, MREs & Food]
* [http://www.89infdivww2.org/memories/drilling.htm Drilling by the Numbers, Eating by the Letters]
* [http://www.qmfound.com/army_family_of_rations.htm The Army Family of Rations]


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