"Success is dependent on effort." -- Sophocles
Meal Combat, IndividualThe Meal, Combat, Individual is the first ration which has been adopted to meet the new subsistence concept of supplying nutritionally balanced meals rather than rations. It replaces the Ration, Combat, Individual (C Ration) which was used so extensively in World War II.The Meal, Combat, Individual, is designed for issue either in individual units as a meal or in multiples of three as a complete ration. Its characteristics emphasize utility, flexibility of use, and more variety of food components than were included in the Ration, Combat, Individual (C Ration) which it replaces. Twelve different menus are included in the specification. Each menu contains one canned meat item; one canned fruit, bread or dessert item; one B unit; an accessory packet containing cigarettes, matches, chewing gum, toilet paper, coffee, cream, sugar, and salt; and a spoon. Four can openers are provided in each case of 12 meals. Although the meat item can be eaten cold, it is more palatable when heated.Each meal furnishes approximately one-third of the minimum nutrient intake prescribed by Army regulations.
C-Ration:Development began in 1938 and was completed between 1941 and 1945.Used extensively during World War II.Issued as one boxed ration per person per day.One case of C-Rations contained 6 rations.Each ration was composed of a B-unit and a M-unit; total weight was approximately 7 pounds.B-unit: (3) 12 ounce cans of bread, coffee and sugar.M-unit: (3) 12 ounce cans of meat and vegetable components.Limited menu selection [(3) M-units and (3) B-units]; many of the menus contained beans.Intended for limited use but sometimes it was used as the sole source of subsistence for weeks.Rarely were all of the components available so substitutions with duplicate components were common. This exacerbated menu fatigue.Menus were expanded in 1944 to include (10) M-units and (6) B-units.Surplus C-Rations were used in both Korea and Vietnam.Meal, Combat, Individual (MCI):Replaced the C-Ration beginning in 1958.Used extensively in Vietnam.Evolved from the C-Ration (used same metal containers as C-Rations).Redesigned food packaging to provide an individual meal rather than an entire rationEach MCI weighed approximately 2.7 pounds and contained about 1200 calories.Components almost identical to the C-Ration components but with more variety.12 different meals per case with increased variety of canned meats.Less monotony and menu fatiguehere's a pic of a case of MCI's..MCI 1978 Complete MenuMenu 1Beef w/Spiced SauceHalved ApricotsPeanut ButterB-1 Unit – crackers, candyMenu 2Tuna FishQuartered PearsPeanut ButterB-1 Unit – crackers, candyMenu 3Ham and Eggs, ChoppedQuartered PearsPeanut ButterB-1 Unit – crackers, candyMenu 4Pork, Sliced, Cooked with JuicesHalved ApricotsPeanut ButterB-1 Unit – crackers, candyMenu 5Beans w/Frankfurter Chunks in Tomato SauceBlackberry JamFruitcakeB-2 Unit – crackers, cocoa beverage powderMenu 6Beef Slices and Potatoes w/GravyPineapple JamOrange Nut RollB-2 Unit – crackers, cocoa beverage powderMenu 7Spaghetti w/Beef Chunks in SaucePeach JamCinnamon Nut RollB-2 Unit – crackers, cocoa beverage powderMenu 8Beans w/Meat Balls in Tomato SauceGrape JamPound CakeB-2 Unit – crackers, cocoa beverage powderMenu 9BeefSteakSliced PeachesCheese Spread, Cheddar PlainB-3 Unit – crackers, candyMenu 10Chicken or Turkey BonedCheese Spread, Cheddar PlainFruit CocktailB-3 Unit – crackers, candyMenu 11Ham Sliced, Cooked with JuicesCheese Spread, Cheddar PlainFruit CocktailB-3 Unit – crackers, candyMenu 12Turkey LoafCheese Spread, Cheddar PlainSliced PeachesB-3 Unit – crackers, candy
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Topic: Military Rations of Korea and Vietnam... or How the C-rat became the MCI... (Read 3332 times)
