My introduction to Mre Food was quite unique, intertwined with the early days of my relationship with my now-husband, Dane. As he embarked on U.S. Army Ranger school, his letters to me were penned on the cardboard packaging of his Meals, Ready-to-Eat, or MRE food, his sustenance during rigorous training. These letters, now over a decade old, are cherished keepsakes, yet I had never actually tasted the MRE food that formed their backdrop, despite years of hearing about them from military personnel.
To get a better understanding, I informally polled veterans and active duty service members about their MRE preferences. “Chili Mac” emerged as the most sought-after MRE among the 24 diverse recipes available. This lineup includes options ranging from shredded beef in barbecue sauce to Mexican rice and bean bowl, and cheese tortellini in tomato sauce. Intrigued, I decided my first MRE experience would be with the famed Chili Mac.
According to the Defense Logistics Agency, MRE food is engineered “to sustain an individual engaged in heavy activity such as military training or during actual military operations when normal food service facilities are not available.” Each MRE is designed to last for three years and provides approximately 1250 kilocalories, with a nutritional breakdown of 13% protein, 36% fat, and 51% carbohydrates. Upon opening the tan pouch, I was immediately surprised by the variety within. Far from just a main course, the DLA emphasizes that “components are selected to complement each entree as well as provide necessary nutrition.”
My Chili Mac MRE food package revealed not only the chili and macaroni entree but also a kippered beef stick, cheese spread with jalapeños, crackers, carrot cake pound cake, Wild Berry Skittles, and a grape-flavored powdered drink mix.
Dane, upon seeing my selection, deemed it a “good” one, heightening my anticipation. The MRE food includes instructions for heating the main course using a plastic bag and a water-activated heater.
Following the instructions meticulously, even employing a rock to prop up the meal as it heated, the heater remained lukewarm, leaving my Chili Mac MRE food decidedly cool.
While I had the option to further heat the MRE food using kitchen cookware, I recognized that service members in operational settings lack this convenience. Therefore, I decided to experience the MRE food “as is.”
So, what was my verdict on MRE food?
Firstly, the grape drink mix tasted remarkably like Gatorade, earning immediate approval. The “Chili Mac” entree consisted of taco-seasoned beef crumbles with elbow macaroni in a tomato-based sauce. To my surprise, it wasn’t as unappetizing as anticipated, reminding me of childhood canned spaghetti meals. I imagined that when fatigued, cold, and hungry, a hot version of this MRE food would be even more satisfying. The portion size was also unexpectedly generous, proving to be more than I could finish in one sitting, despite the package appearing small.
The cheese spread with jalapeños, paired with crackers and a sprinkle of crushed red pepper, was next. The cheese, quite salty, had a flavor profile akin to Easy Cheese. The crackers, rather dry and bland, were enhanced by the cheese spread. However, the kippered beef snack was excessively salty and not a personal favorite.
The highlight of the MRE food experience was undoubtedly dessert: the carrot cake pound cake and Skittles. The cake was surprisingly moist and flavorful, offering a perfect sweetness to balance the savory components of the meal. Dane later mentioned that heater malfunctions are common and that items like pound cake and jalapeño cheese spread are highly valued and often traded among service members.
Was MRE food as dreadful as I had preconceived? Definitely not. I was pleasantly surprised by the portion sizes and the variety within the MRE food package. While I won’t be rushing to incorporate MREs into my regular meal plan, this experience has deepened my appreciation for the service members who rely on MRE food in situations where other options are unavailable, often without the comfort of a warm kitchen. This firsthand encounter with MRE food provided valuable insight into a crucial aspect of military life and the sustenance that fuels those who serve.
