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Military Glossary

Military Food: Inside an MRE (02:18)

A recruiter gives a guided tour of a "Meal, Ready-to-Eat" (MRE). These portable meals provide nutrition to servicemembers in the field, when extensive food preparation is not an option.

View this video's transcript

Army

Most of the time, servicemembers eat regular food. Whether in an on-base dining facility (DFAC), camp kitchen, restaurant or in their own kitchens, servicemembers have access to the same cuisine options as civilians. But during a mission it’s not always practical to spend a lot of time preparing and eating food. That’s where the “Meal, Ready-to-Eat” (MRE) comes in. An MRE is a prepackaged meal that comes with a Flameless Ration Heater (FRH) so servicemembers can have a hot meal quickly, without fire. MREs may also be eaten unheated. They are nutritionally balanced and contain about 1,250 calories’ worth of food, including an entr?e, dessert, snacks and beverage. They come in 24 flavors, some of which are vegetarian. MREs are required to withstand parachute drops of 1,250 feet and are edible for three years or more.

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