Have the quality, menus, treats of Meals Ready to Eat (MRE) changed or improved since I retired in 2005?

SGM Joel Cook — Mon, 19 Dec 2016 19:33:35 -0500

Response by SGM Joel Cook made Dec 19 at 2016 7:37 PM

SGM Joel Cook — Mon, 19 Dec 2016 19:37:52 -0500

I always liked the Cheese Tortalini as my favorite menu item. As a treat I always enjoyed making Cafe Mocha out of the coffee and hot chocolate. I am wondering if there are any new, even better menus out there now?

Response by SSG Mark Franzen made Dec 19 at 2016 7:43 PM

SSG Mark Franzen — Mon, 19 Dec 2016 19:43:27 -0500

I like the c rations and K rations better than MRES .
SSG MARK FRANZEN
US ARMY VET

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 19 at 2016 7:53 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 19 Dec 2016 19:53:51 -0500

I think they're better overall. I joined in 99 originally and left in 14. I just came back a few months back and had my first MREs in years during BOLC. I was pleasantly surprised by many of the choices. My favorite is still an oldie but a goodie. Chili mac warmed up with the cheese sauce added.

Response by PO1 William "Chip" Nagel made Dec 19 at 2016 7:59 PM

PO1 William "Chip" Nagel — Mon, 19 Dec 2016 19:59:53 -0500

I come from the Days of C-Rations, Anything is Better than Spam in a Can from a War or Two Before you signed up.

Response by CAPT Kevin B. made Dec 19 at 2016 8:36 PM

CAPT Kevin B. — Mon, 19 Dec 2016 20:36:58 -0500

I ate a lot of C-Rats and had "Meals Rejected by Ethiopia" from day one. They got better over the years. One had a packet called "Bean Component" with a large warning "Not for flight or prefight use". The C-Rat carryover was the maple bar. Four Finger Mary hung around too. By the time I punched out in 2003, they were on the 4th series and they improved along the way. I'd presume they continued that trend. The big thing was the heater packet.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 19 at 2016 9:26 PM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 19 Dec 2016 21:26:23 -0500

The variety has improved. There are currently 24 menu options including Brisket, Tuna with Lemon Pepper, Grilled Beef patty with Jalapeno Jack, and Spinach, Mushroom & Cream Sauce Fettuccine.

Makes me hungry just typing about it!

Check out this site SGM Joel Cook

http://www.mreinfo.com/mres/mre-menus/mre-menus-2016/

MRE Menus 2016 | MRE Info

2016 MRE MENUS: Menu 1 Chili w/Beans Corn Bread, Trans Fat Free Cheddar Cheese Spread Crackers, Trans Fat Free Cheese Filled Snack Food Carbohydrate Fortified Beverage Powder Menu 2 Shredded Barbeque Beef Seasoned Black Beans Jalapeno Cheddar Cheese Spread Tortillas, Trans Fat Free Infused and Dried Fruits Carbohydrate Fortified Beverage Powder Barbeque Sauce Menu 3 … Continue reading MRE Menus 2016

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 19 at 2016 9:28 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 19 Dec 2016 21:28:29 -0500

I had plenty of my grandpa's leftover MREs while hunting, dad's while in boy scouts, and plenty since my service started in 2007. Gotta say, they're only getting better!

Response by SSG Mark Franzen made Dec 19 at 2016 11:24 PM

SSG Mark Franzen — Mon, 19 Dec 2016 23:24:56 -0500

My Favorite C Ration was Beans and Franks and Ham eggs chopped we heated up on the intake manifold while we were in convoy and when we had driven forgot how many miles but it warmed them pretty Good.

Response by SGT Dave Tracy made Dec 20 at 2016 9:58 AM

SGT Dave Tracy — Tue, 20 Dec 2016 09:58:32 -0500

Well, you'll no longer get the Veggie Omelet. I'd call THAT an improvement; although it did have some good sides/snacks with it. I haven't seen one of those MREs in 5 or 6 years.

Actually, I'd like to have one now. Not to eat, oh no. That's crazy talk. I'd want one for the same reason I'd want an 80's Yugo or old Soviet Lada: Just to say I had one!

Response by 1SG(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 20 at 2016 11:09 AM

1SG(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 20 Dec 2016 11:09:36 -0500

Improved, yet still to be avoided

Response by SFC Dennis A. made Dec 20 at 2016 11:25 AM

SFC Dennis A. — Tue, 20 Dec 2016 11:25:31 -0500

I couldn't tell you if they have improved or not but I know they weren't very good when I retired in 96. I'd take a can of C-Rations over MRE's any day.

Response by COL Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 20 at 2016 12:05 PM

COL Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 20 Dec 2016 12:05:40 -0500

SGM Joel Cook - absolutely! Check this out: https://www.armytimes.com/articles/burrito-bowl-mre-on-tap-for-2017

Burrito bowls, meat sticks and more are coming to your MREs in 2017

A new Meal, Ready-to-Eat will feature a chicken burrito bowl as the entree next year.

Response by SMSgt Lawrence McCarter made Dec 21 at 2016 9:09 AM

SMSgt Lawrence McCarter — Wed, 21 Dec 2016 09:09:01 -0500

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 27 at 2016 11:53 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 27 Dec 2016 11:53:19 -0500

It seems like every time I go to get an MRE I find a new one!

Response by SPC Robert Stewart made Dec 28 at 2016 12:35 PM

SPC Robert Stewart — Wed, 28 Dec 2016 12:35:21 -0500

mre's what a waste of money to be politicaly correct go back to k or c rats

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 28 at 2016 11:16 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 28 Dec 2016 23:16:13 -0500

I'd say quality is the same, just more names that mostly taste the same.

Response by SPC Sean Martin made Dec 30 at 2016 9:24 AM

SPC Sean Martin — Fri, 30 Dec 2016 09:24:31 -0500

Well, they have certainly changed since I ETS'd in '93! Just the fact that they have a heating element, is a plus! I ate a plenty cold; unless you were by a heater, engine, etc....!