• The eat of battle – how the world's armies get fed
    125 replies, posted
[quote] The Taliban might be just a few hundred metres away, but in the mess halls of the US bases in southern Afghanistan, there are more pressing dangers lurking: undercooked eggs. Signs placed above the breakfast fry-up station warn against asking for an egg sunny side up: it's available over-easy only. The reason, as explained by patient cooks to bemused visitors, is that diseases might lurk in a runny yolk. Feeding soldiers in a warzone is one of the biggest challenges for any army. Generals want to keep their soldiers healthy, and food done well, both in the "d-facs" (dining faciliites) and MREs ("meals ready to eat", in US army speak – or "ration packs") can be a morale booster, a reminder of home in a hostile, alien place. So for soldiers on the ground, one of the most important recent breakthroughs in military technology may be the "three-year pizza", described by its scientist creators as the "holy grail" of ration-pack food. Pizza is the most asked-for dish when troops are quizzed on what they would like to see in their supplies, but it has taken years of research to come up with a slice that tastes like the real thing, yet can sit on the shelf without the tomato sauce turning the crust soggy or mould growing on the cheese. The US and other militaries have poured billions into these technologically impressive ration packs. Few commanding officers forget Napoleon Bonaparte's apocryphal remark "an army marches on its stomach", so ration packs have already come a long way from the cans of corned beef that one officer confided were so hated by British soldiers, that on training exercises, they threw them over a cliff, preferring hunger. Scientists and chefs have worked for years to produce tasty food that lasts for months in a sealed pouch or tin. We decided to test how palatable the newer ration packs are, and begged a meal from the many countries with soldiers in Kabul for a charity dinner in aid of schools in Afghanistan. The meals were rated by a collection of diplomats, officials, aid workers and security contractors from around the world, each paying for the privilege. The Estonian ambassador returned to Kabul with an overweight suitcase full of smoked sprats, stuffed peppers and halva. Only the Americans declined to contribute. They were legally forbidden from giving away their ration packs, embassy and military officials said apologetically, and no one was willing to risk bending the rules. Fortunately, supplies trucked in through Pakistan often vanish in transit, and US packs are for sale at $2 each in the "Bush bazaar". On the night, diners chose between food from 11 countries, from Denmark to Spain to Singapore. Most popular was the Italian pack: diners were undoubtedly lured in by the country's culinary reputation, and the surprise addition of a splash of grappa – the only alcohol on offer. Second were the French, who once included a carton of red wine, but now serve only dry rations. One surprise was the German pack – the meal people were most reluctant to try, but a runaway success thanks to the liver sausage spread and rye bread.[/quote] Italy [img]http://static.guim.co.uk/sys-images/Guardian/Pix/pictures/2014/2/18/1392737971369/325a6697-ecc3-43fd-aef0-880951609780-460x309.jpeg[/img] [quote]The Italian ration pack contains a breakfast shot of 40% alcohol cordiale, a powdered cappuccino, lots of biscotti, and a disposable camping stove for heating parts of the meal, including a pasta and bean soup, canned turkey and a rice salad. Dessert is a power sport bar, canned fruit salad or a muesli chocolate bar.[/quote] France [img]http://static.guim.co.uk/sys-images/Guardian/Pix/pictures/2014/2/18/1392739357787/157d10e4-0f26-4c51-b836-633b386a36eb-460x318.jpeg[/img] [quote]A streamlined but sophisticated French ration pack offers soldiers deer pâté, cassoulet with duck confit, creole-style pork and a crème chocolate pudding. There is also a disposable heater, some coffee and flavoured drink powder, muesli for breakfast and a little Dupont d'Isigny caramel.[/quote] Germany [img]http://static.guim.co.uk/sys-images/Guardian/Pix/pictures/2014/2/18/1392738799386/6af81885-68e9-4ff4-92f4-bcdfa2dfcc94-460x331.jpeg[/img] [quote]The German ration pack contains several sachets of grapefruit and exotic juice powder to add to water, and Italian biscotti, but also more familiar treats such as liver-sausage spread and rye bread, goulash with potatoes, and for breakfast sour cherry and apricot jams.[/quote] UK [img]http://static.guim.co.uk/sys-images/Guardian/Pix/pictures/2014/2/18/1392739122240/7939676f-e179-4c8a-9deb-d67febe62174-460x329.jpeg[/img] [quote]The British pack is dotted with familiar brands from Kenco coffee and Typhoo tea to a mini bottle of Tabasco. The main courses include the British favourite, chicken tikka masala, and a vegetarian pasta. There's also pork and beans for breakfast, and lots of sweets and snacks from trail mix to an apple "fruit pocket" that looks like it might not be out of place in a school lunchbox. Plus packets of Polos and, of course, plenty of teabags. [/quote] Australia [img]http://static.guim.co.uk/sys-images/Guardian/Pix/pictures/2014/2/18/1392738130933/db012fc6-1298-4de5-a428-7b9eaaaae47d-460x311.jpeg[/img] [quote]The Australian ration pack has more small treats than any of the others. Most of it is packaged by the military, from a serving of love-it-or-hate-it Vegemite to jam sandwich biscuits and a tube of sweetened condensed milk. The bag includes a can-opener-cum-spoon for getting at the Fonterra processed cheddar cheese, and main meals of meatballs and chilli tuna pasta. There are lots of sweets and soft drinks, and two unappetising-looking bars labelled "chocolate ration". [/quote] Spain [img]http://static.guim.co.uk/sys-images/Guardian/Pix/pictures/2014/2/18/1392737143011/Spanish-ration-pack-011.jpg[/img] [quote]The Spanish lunch pack has cans of green beans with ham, squid in vegetable oil, and pate. There is also a sachet of powdered vegetable soup, peach in syrup for dessert and crackers handed out to go with the meal in place of bread (not shown). There is a disposable heater with matches and fuel tabs, as well as lots of tablets: Vitamin C, glucose, water purification, and rehydration. [/quote] US [img]http://static.guim.co.uk/sys-images/Guardian/Pix/pictures/2014/2/18/1392737379237/121c8888-3e3e-4864-9174-359ce227e7b9-460x306.jpeg[/img] [quote]Almond poppy seed pound cake, cranberries, spiced apple cider (the hot US non-alcoholic drink) and peanut butter and crackers make up this very American meal package. The main – pasta with vegetable "crumbles" in spicy tomato sauce – is less traditional, but the "flameless heater" shows off American tech skills – just add water to the powder in a plastic bag and it heats up enough to warm the plastic meal pouch. [/quote] Canada [img]http://static.guim.co.uk/sys-images/Guardian/Pix/pictures/2014/2/18/1392738637718/e049fdb9-f4e3-4d87-aa59-9de101610c8a-460x296.jpeg[/img] [quote]While there are Bear Paws snacks in the Canadian ration pack, there's the shocking omission of maple syrup. You have the choice of salmon fillet with Tuscan sauce or vegetarian couscous for the main meal. There is also the makings of a peanut butter and jelly (raspberry jam) sandwich for breakfast. [/quote] Norway [img]http://static.guim.co.uk/sys-images/Guardian/Pix/pictures/2014/2/18/1392737853080/09f1aabd-f4a2-42ba-9cb3-ff5b78701f7f-460x268.jpeg[/img] [quote]The Norwegian pack has American technology (the flameless heater) but British tastes. There is Earl Grey tea, beans and bacon in tomato sauce, a golden oatie biscuit and Rowntree's Tooty Frooties. [/quote] Estonia [img]http://static.guim.co.uk/sys-images/Guardian/Pix/pictures/2014/2/18/1392738448557/cab5a9d0-b0f7-40f9-b9a5-a019b8b73cb5-460x350.jpeg[/img] [quote]Stuffed peppers, chicken-meat pâté, smoked sprats, and liver sausage with potatoes make an eclectic menu here. Plus, crispbreads on the side, and halva with vanilla for dessert. Breakfast is muesli, a fruit pocket and honey. [/quote] Singapore [img]http://static.guim.co.uk/sys-images/Guardian/Pix/pictures/2014/2/19/1392811224001/Singapore-ration-pack-006.jpg[/img] [quote]The offerings in the Singapore pack were sparse despite its reputation for high-quality cuisine. There were a paltry three dishes, of Szechuan chicken noodles; a mushroom, basil, rice and chicken dish; and soya milk with red-bean dessert [ see footnote]. • This footnote was appended on 19 February 2014. The Singapore pack is, in fact, only the main pack. In addition each Singaporean soldier receives an "accessory" pack as part of a 24-hour ration package, which includes canned drinks, energy bars, isotonic drinks powder, tinned food, instant noodles, biscuits, "candy", instant tea and coffee, tissue paper, and heating packs.[/quote] [url]http://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2014/feb/18/eat-of-battle-worlds-armies-fed[/url] France is like bloody fine dining.
It looks like Roy Campbell was right about the French rations :v: [video=youtube;C5lPOXpHyL8]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C5lPOXpHyL8[/video]
I ate some old Portuguese Air Force rations last year, canned meat balls, some crackers and other stuff I don't quite remember, that my parents had kept and forgotten about, only remembering last year and noticing most stuff was still inside the expiration date. The crackers were weird tasting but the canned meat balls were the best god damn meat balls I ever ate, definitely stood the test of time, shit is made to last for years. It also had those cylindrical fuel tabs and metal piece you can see in the Spanish ration image. You bend the metal piece so it becomes a mini heater and put the can on top and a fuel tab under the can, the can hangs over the fuel tab, really crafty stuff.
Ours has some surprisingly good stuff
Honestly, apart from the whole meal in a condom wrapper thing, some of these sound quite tasty.
So Italian soldiers start the day off with a shot? One way to keep yourself smiling through the day...
North Korea [thumb]http://st.gdefon.com/wallpapers_original/wallpapers/393769_kora_derevo_les_1680x1050_(www.GdeFon.ru).jpg[/thumb] fucking link
[QUOTE=Ogris;44053311]Honestly, apart from the whole meal in a condom wrapper thing, some of these sound quite tasty.[/QUOTE] I know the US ones have a reputation for it, but would I be right in guessing that all of them are designed to stop your bowel from being so... regular? Also, the Norwegian one is probably pretty nice, the mini Tabasco in it and the UK one is fucking adorable. Wonder what Jap rations are like, I know that they've got curry down to a tradition every Friday in their naval defence force.
Spain gets condoms.
I also was trying to find Russian field rations description and photos, but was forced to eyeball images [b]so stupid[/b] I pussied out of posting them, sorry guys.
[QUOTE=Terminutter;44053358]I know the US ones have a reputation for it, but would I be right in guessing that all of them are designed to stop your bowel from being so... regular? Also, the Norwegian one is probably pretty nice, the mini Tabasco in it and the UK one is fucking adorable. Wonder what Jap rations are like, I know that they've got curry down to a tradition every Friday in their naval defence force.[/QUOTE] The tabasco was the source of many jokes when I was in the CCF, one guy had at least 5 poured into his dinner one time.
As cool as this is, remember a lot of nations have more variety than one traditional set. There's a ton of variations of the US MREs, about twenty four a year; and you could be stuck with the notorious Veggie Burger, or have the gloriously tasty Maple Sausage. The concept is the same as per portions of different meals/snacks/candy/drinks - but the contents could be entirely different one pack to the next. Maple Sausage: [quote]Maple Sausage Granola, milk, blueberries Peanut butter Jam Crackers Maple Muffin Top Beverage, sugar free, orange Syrup Accessory packet A Spoon Flameless ration heater Hot beverage bag[/quote] Veggie Burger [quote]Veggie Burger with BBQ Sauce Wet pack fruit Chocolate Banana Muffin Top Wheat snack bread (2) First Strike bar Beverage, carb electro Hot sauce Accessory packet A Spoon Flameless ration heater Hot beverage bag[/quote]
i was looking at the images thinking "hm which one looks best" then i saw norway and they've got [I]tooty frooties nigga[/I] [editline]26th February 2014[/editline] sign me the fuck up
[url]http://www.mreinfo.com/[/url] Literally a website dedicated to military rationsm mostly US but also international.
[QUOTE=TCB;44053461]i was looking at the images thinking "hm which one looks best" then i saw norway and they've got [I]tooty frooties nigga[/I] [editline]26th February 2014[/editline] sign me the fuck up[/QUOTE]Expect a letter within the next two months.
I tried the Singapore one, in camp. Terrible. They give you chicken porridge. Who the fuck eats porridge in the middle of the jungle. Worse of all, I took my platoon mates portions because I thought it'll be good.
Brits serving in the Gulf War and probably still do now swapped UK Ration packs with Americans because Americans got tired of theirs. Also because American rations already contained water in them it meant more water could be carried for drinking in the heat whereas American troops found them heavy and preferred the dry UK rations that needed water adding to them.
[QUOTE=gudman;44053391]I also was trying to find Russian field rations description and photos, but was forced to eyeball images [b]so stupid[/b] I pussied out of posting them, sorry guys.[/QUOTE] What's wrong with it? [t]http://img-fotki.yandex.ru/get/9301/20701029.46/0_e80a8_bd988035_XXL.jpg[/t]
[QUOTE=antianan;44053587]What's wrong with it? [t]http://img-fotki.yandex.ru/get/9301/20701029.46/0_e80a8_bd988035_XXL.jpg[/t][/QUOTE] The fucking inscription on chocolate bar is wrong with it. It's so bad I feel ashamed of existing for some reason.
[QUOTE=gudman;44053602]The fucking inscription on chocolate bar is wrong with it. It's so bad I feel ashamed of existing for some reason.[/QUOTE] What does it mean in english?
[quote=]While there are Bear Paws snacks in the Canadian ration pack, there's the shocking omission of maple syrup.[/quote]
[QUOTE=Aphtonites;44053616]What does it mean in english?[/QUOTE] "Military chocolate. The taste of victory". Mmmmmm.... [QUOTE=gudman;44053602]The fucking inscription on chocolate bar is wrong with it. It's so bad I feel ashamed of existing for some reason.[/QUOTE] Well, army is a priori stupid. At least it's fun to read.
[QUOTE=Aphtonites;44053616]What does it mean in english?[/QUOTE] It's a quote attributed to Marcus Tullius Cicero, I can't be assed to find the exact quote translated to English so have my translation, "There's nothing more joyful than victory". And that's the only thing that has quote on it, chocolate bar of all things. It's so out of place it kills me.
lol estonia has the exact same crisp bread that we do
[QUOTE=antianan;44053629] Well, army is a priori stupid. At least it's fun to read.[/QUOTE] That I can agree with, I'm not exactly up in arms against it. But if there were more quotes there, especially on pate it wouldn't make it stick out.
I'm pretty sure the BBC did an almost identical article a few years ago.
[QUOTE=Virtanen;44053644]lol estonia has the exact same crisp bread that we do[/QUOTE] even the inscription is only in finnish and norwegian :v: But I bet the rye bread slabs are miles better than the dull saltine crackers all the other armies get
My favorite is norway. Its the fruity tooties.
grappa? Holy shit it's literally alcohol
Well, at least it ain't PLA [url=http://www.chinasmack.com/2009/pictures/what-do-chinese-soldiers-eat-on-the-battlefield.html]compressed food[/url].
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