MRE packaging MREs are intended to serve as a service member's "sole subsistence" for as much as 21 days but can be used for longer if necessary, according to the DoD Combat Feeding Directorate at the Natick Soldier RD&E Center. Each meal contains an entree , starch, spread, dessert, snacks, beverages, plastic spoon and flameless ration heater. There are 24 meals on the MRE menu. (Photo: NSRDEC.natick.army.mil).

(Clockwise from left) Meatballs with marinara sauce, filled pretzels, cheese spread, wheat snack bread; Grilled beef patty, Mexican macaroni and cheese, filled crackers, bacon cheese spread, wheat snack bread; Chicken breast filet, cornbread stuffing, caramel apple bar, wheat snack bread, jalapeno cheese spread. (Photo: NSRDEC.natick.army.mil).

(Clockwise from top left) Snack items chicken with tomato and feta, cornbread stuffing; chicken with dumplings, pound cake; penne with vegetarian sausage in spicy tomato sauce. (Photo: NSRDEC.natick.army.mil).

Army cook preparing group rations. Group rations are designed to serve as the first group meal for deployed service members, where field kitchens (without refrigeration) are available. (Photo: NSRDEC.natick.army.mil).

(Clockwise from top left) Sweet and sour pork, Szechwan chicken, white rice, carrots; buffalo chicken, chicken stir fry, corn, brown rice; turkey tettrazini. (Photo: NSRDEC.natick.army.mil).

(Clockwise from top left) Harvest pumpkin cake and chocolate cappuccino cake; coffee cake muffin and waffles; breakfast cakes (walnut tea and blueberry). (Photo: NSRDEC.natick.army.mil).

(Clockwise from left)

Go-to-war rations are designed to sustain service members during the early mobilization stages. They are commercial products that don't quite meet the "full spectrum of military service requirements" but augment current rations.

Nutritionally Optimized First Strike Ration is lightweight and calorically dense intedended for use during the first 72 hours of intense conflict.

Tube food, often referred to as high-altitude rations are used for Air Force U2 pilots, who must wear pressurized suits and helmets. Tube food attaches to a feeding tube allowing the pilot to sip the food through a straw.

(Photo: NSRDEC.natick.army.mil).

MRE packaging MREs are intended to serve as a service member's "sole subsistence" for as much as 21 days but can be used for longer if necessary, according to the DoD Combat Feeding Directorate at the Natick Soldier RD&E Center. Each meal contains an entree , starch, spread, dessert, snacks, beverages, plastic spoon and flameless ration heater. There are 24 meals on the MRE menu. (Photo: NSRDEC.natick.army.mil).

(Clockwise from left) Meatballs with marinara sauce, filled pretzels, cheese spread, wheat snack bread; Grilled beef patty, Mexican macaroni and cheese, filled crackers, bacon cheese spread, wheat snack bread; Chicken breast filet, cornbread stuffing, caramel apple bar, wheat snack bread, jalapeno cheese spread. (Photo: NSRDEC.natick.army.mil).

(Clockwise from top left) Snack items chicken with tomato and feta, cornbread stuffing; chicken with dumplings, pound cake; penne with vegetarian sausage in spicy tomato sauce. (Photo: NSRDEC.natick.army.mil).

Army cook preparing group rations. Group rations are designed to serve as the first group meal for deployed service members, where field kitchens (without refrigeration) are available. (Photo: NSRDEC.natick.army.mil).

(Clockwise from top left) Sweet and sour pork, Szechwan chicken, white rice, carrots; buffalo chicken, chicken stir fry, corn, brown rice; turkey tettrazini. (Photo: NSRDEC.natick.army.mil).

(Clockwise from top left) Harvest pumpkin cake and chocolate cappuccino cake; coffee cake muffin and waffles; breakfast cakes (walnut tea and blueberry). (Photo: NSRDEC.natick.army.mil).

(Clockwise from left)

Go-to-war rations are designed to sustain service members during the early mobilization stages. They are commercial products that don't quite meet the "full spectrum of military service requirements" but augment current rations.

Nutritionally Optimized First Strike Ration is lightweight and calorically dense intedended for use during the first 72 hours of intense conflict.

Tube food, often referred to as high-altitude rations are used for Air Force U2 pilots, who must wear pressurized suits and helmets. Tube food attaches to a feeding tube allowing the pilot to sip the food through a straw.

(Photo: NSRDEC.natick.army.mil).