C Rations were an individual field ration used in the US military during the 1940s, 50s, and 60s. The Army was still using the when I went through basic in 1973. Simultaneously beloved and loathed by the troops, it was what you had to eat in the field. Twelve meals to a box, a mixed carton of joy and loathing.
The worst meal in most troops opinion was the Ham and Limas. It came with a dessert of fruitcake. Both were inedible, but this guy liked it. Each C Ration came with an accessory pack that contained toilet paper, a heat tab, paper matches, cigarettes, and a toothpick.
My favorite C was Poork Patties in gravy. One day on a break I was hungry, so I took out the Pork Patty can, lit a heat tab and was merrily heating the tin when the Drill Sergeant wandered by.
Him: "Private, what are you eating?"
Me: "Pork Patties in gravy."
Him: "When was that packed? Look on the bottom of the can."
I lifted the can to look at the bottom. "Drill Sergeant, this says 1948."
Him: "Damn, Private, that pig has been dead longer than you have been alive. I'm going to watch you close te rest of the day."
The Army later came out with LRRP rations, which were totally inedible, then followed those with MRE rations, which are still used today. If I had my choice, I'd pick C Rations every time.
yup. second that for sure. C-rats where a lot better than the dry as dust lurp rations. I mean they where okay if you liked rice. seem like every damn meal had rice in it.
ReplyDeleteas for MREs, yeah. had a few back in the 1980's. God did they suck. I rather go without than eat that crap. all I can say it thank God for peanut butter in small jars !
We were still getting C-rats with the green Lucky Strike package in the early 60’s. I’m guessing WW II vintage,
ReplyDeleteYep, even WWII C rats were preferred over the original MREs...
ReplyDeleteI never minded C Rats including Ham and Lima beans. What was bad was every consolidated mess hall I ever ate in. Ft Dix was the worst where we waited a few days to board a troop ship to Germany. The food on the troop ship was excellent.
ReplyDeleteC-rats in Army in 1975. Did a bit of trading, etc in the field in Germany when the smokers would run out of smokes. 1As mentioned, some were not too bad but other varieties were downright nasty. Got one issue of c-rats once that was stamped 1955 and this was either 1975 or 1976. Still semi edible... Chow hall in Germany was so bad that a large number of enlisted in the barracks were on separate rations as mess hall caused them gastro issues..
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