Military MREs (Meal's Ready to Eat) are a must-have in your emergency food storage. The U.S. Military relies on MREs to give them the nutrition and energy they need to survive in the most extreme conditions. MREs are great to use during any disaster and are excellent for a 'grab and go' emergency. They provide you with a warm meal that is packed with nutritional value to help you through any situation.Here are some frequently asked questions about MREs:
WHAT IS A MRE? MREs were brought into military use during the 1980's to replace heavy, bulky food supplies. MREs are self-contained meals that include a way to heat your meal without all the hassle. They have a durable packaging that can withstand high drops and typically have a shelf-life of about 5 years(depending on storage conditions). Long before the MREs became the meal of choice for the U.S. Military, canned wet rations were the longtime favorite and only real option the military had. In the ‘60s and ‘70s as dehydrated food become more readily available and the military looked to replace the bulky and heavy canned food system it had relied on for so long. After a long period of testing and surveying, the MREs became standard issue in 1986
DO WE SELL MILITARY MRE'S? Yes and no. Military MREs are not sold to the public. However, the same contractors who make MREs for the Department of Defense, also make civilian MREs. These MREs are made to the same specifications as military MREs, but with a few differences. Civilian MREs come in a different packaging and don't include all of the same items, such as chewing gum, toilet paper, and other extra items.
HOW DO I USE MY MRE? MREs are very easy and simple to use and they don’t require much if any prep time. Here are 3 simple steps:
Step 1:
When opening your MRE, the entrée should be contained in a self-contained box that will give a description of the entrée that you will be eating. The MRE is inside the box is in a flexible retort pouch (aluminum polypropylene laminate pouch). Remember the food is already cooked and can be eaten hot or cold, directly out of the pouch.
Step 2: Heating your MRE
MREs can be heated in a variety of ways and the most common way is using a Flame-less Ration Heater (FRH) also known as an MRE Heater. These are very simple to use and require just a small amount of water to activate. If you don't have an MRE Heater, you can use the following methods to heat or warm your MRE:
- Put the pouch in boiling water for 5 minutes.
- Place near or on a fire until hot. A hot rock works great for this purpose.
- Heat the food in a microwave or over a stove top. Be sire to remove food from the retort pouch first.