What was your most creative alternate use of an MRE?

SFC Dante Alanis — Thu, 05 Jan 2017 23:56:22 -0500

I once used the heating pouch contents and asphyxiated fish in a small pond to catch and eat. I've also used the warmers and thick plastic bag as warm snow shoes. What have you done with MREs which they were not created for?

Response by CAPT Kevin B. made Jan 6 at 2017 12:17 AM

CAPT Kevin B. — Fri, 06 Jan 2017 00:17:33 -0500

Back in the early days of MRE's they had one that contained a packet of Bean Component. It also had a large warning note: "Not for flight or preflight use". That was merely a challenge to us Seabees where we'd save them up for the Herc ride to see how much of a horn section we could create. Blazing Saddles MIL Style!

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 6 at 2017 12:34 AM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 06 Jan 2017 00:34:35 -0500

Fire kindling

Response by SGT Dave Tracy made Jan 6 at 2017 11:40 AM

SGT Dave Tracy — Fri, 06 Jan 2017 11:40:30 -0500

Nothing too creative. Most people I know used the heater to try to make little bottle bombs or used the drink pouch as a waterproof case for our cell phones.

Response by CW3 Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 6 at 2017 12:02 PM

CW3 Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 06 Jan 2017 12:02:19 -0500

Using the heating element to make an MRE bomb. Don't ask me for details, the statute of limitations has not yet expired.

Response by LTC Jason Mackay made Jan 6 at 2017 9:46 PM

LTC Jason Mackay — Fri, 06 Jan 2017 21:46:01 -0500

Used the heater to thaw a frozen pipe.

Response by PO3 John Wagner made Jan 7 at 2017 6:31 AM

PO3 John Wagner — Sat, 07 Jan 2017 06:31:39 -0500

It's illlegal to use poison bait in my home state however, serving the meals to unwelcome visitors is an inexpensive and functional way to discourage additional visits.
You can feed them to stray cats and dogs and they will NOT come back.

Response by SPC Elijah J. Henry, MBA made Jan 7 at 2017 10:39 AM

SPC Elijah J. Henry, MBA — Sat, 07 Jan 2017 10:39:10 -0500

Nothing too unusual, I like to use the hot drink bag to keep land nav papers dry.

Response by SSG Johnnie Vaughn made Jan 7 at 2017 5:09 PM

SSG Johnnie Vaughn — Sat, 07 Jan 2017 17:09:19 -0500

Not real creative, but they make better pillows than most rocks...

Response by CPL Guy Grafton made Oct 28 at 2017 9:09 PM

CPL Guy Grafton — Sat, 28 Oct 2017 21:09:35 -0400

Gave them to my kids for dinner when they were in trouble. Took them almost half an hour just to open them. Then watched in amusement as they tried to figure our what was what.

Response by 1LT Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 29 at 2017 1:24 AM

1LT Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 29 Oct 2017 01:24:45 -0400

Sleeping bag, glove, boot, towel warmer. Warmest Regards, Sandy :)

Response by SSG Craig Brown made Oct 29 at 2017 7:04 AM

SSG Craig Brown — Sun, 29 Oct 2017 07:04:29 -0400

I've seen people eat them for sustenance. I do not recommend anyone try this maneuver.

Response by LT Brad McInnis made Nov 10 at 2019 11:07 PM

LT Brad McInnis — Sun, 10 Nov 2019 23:07:58 -0500

I smacked my room mate across the face with one because we were too cold to our gloves off.

Response by SrA William Cassy made Nov 10 at 2019 11:17 PM

SrA William Cassy — Sun, 10 Nov 2019 23:17:14 -0500

Hearing packs a2 liter bottle tin foil makes a good boom