A Tale of Two TOTMs

Discussions about US MREs and other US rations
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RockyRaab
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A Tale of Two TOTMs

Post by RockyRaab » Tue Sep 22, 2015 5:42 pm

I have access to Tailored Operational Training Meals, the reduced-content version of MREs intended for classroom days, training, and other light-duty situations. I recently acquired two with one of my favorite entrees, Chicken with Egg Noodles and Vegetables. But when I compared them at home, I noticed that although they are ostensibly identical, they were quite different.

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Looking the same at first.

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Both packed by Sopakco

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But one is a lot fatter. HMMmmmmm?

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Here's what's in the skinny one - just what we'd expect. (FRH, Acc pack and warming sleeve not shown.)

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And here's what's in the fat one. Extra goodies at left.


So whoever packed these threw in both a side dish and some wheat snack bread. In essence, it's a whole MRE instead of the reduced-content version. Odd, but a most pleasant surprise.

Supposedly, there is no fixed menu for TOTMs, unlike MREs. In other words, beyond the basics of an entree, drink, snack/dessert, FRH and Acc pack, there are no set rules for what is included. They very often do not contain a bread/cracker pack or a spread, for example. And never a side dish. Except for this one - which has both!
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Ruleryak
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Re: A Tale of Two TOTMs

Post by Ruleryak » Wed Sep 23, 2015 12:04 pm

I love seeing mistakes/extras like this. Thanks for the post!

OtisRNeedleman
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Re: A Tale of Two TOTMs

Post by OtisRNeedleman » Sun Sep 27, 2015 8:14 pm

Interesting. Will check that out at the next visit to the commissary. Have thought about buying TOTMs and MREs but just don't need them.

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parafireboy
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Re: A Tale of Two TOTMs

Post by parafireboy » Mon Sep 28, 2015 10:06 pm

Thanks for sharing! Wow, that is kind of surprising that there aren't more stringent specs for putting those together, especially when one of the primary goals is to keep calories down since they don't need the full punch an MRE packs. I'm sure it would've made the person's day drawing the loaded one though!

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RockyRaab
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Re: A Tale of Two TOTMs

Post by RockyRaab » Tue Sep 29, 2015 10:56 am

Clearly, the rumor that TOTMs are less "scripted" is probably true - which is the point of this post.

I'm in full agreement that this is the way it should be, please note. We have to keep in mind that an MRE is intended only as a battlefield expedient meal, not as regular ration fare. A TOTM is for even less rigorous feeding situations, such as a lunch while at the rifle range. A soldier would have access to a chow hall or kitchen for two meals in such a training day, so the TOTM is nutritionally inconsequential, really.

The only puzzling thing to me is why they keep including coffee in a TOTM. There's simply no way to prepare it without a hot beverage bag. It's a special acc pack, with fewer items than an MRE acc pack; so as long as they are making it up specially why do they include an item that can't be used? The only items they really need in a TOTM acc pack are a wet wipe, a napkin, a salt/pepper pack, and gum.
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gschultz9
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Re: A Tale of Two TOTMs

Post by gschultz9 » Wed Feb 24, 2016 8:21 pm

I missed this thread earlier. That's fascinating! A side dish in a TOTM? Can't say I've ever heard of that before. What a find. Thanks for sharing that oddball Rocky!

Wolfsbane
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Re: A Tale of Two TOTMs

Post by Wolfsbane » Sat Feb 27, 2016 2:39 pm

good thread

kwiklot
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Re: A Tale of Two TOTMs

Post by kwiklot » Sat Jun 11, 2016 8:07 pm

If i may inquire which service uses TOTM for i have never seen them issued in any setting.

OtisRNeedleman
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Re: A Tale of Two TOTMs

Post by OtisRNeedleman » Sat Jun 11, 2016 9:47 pm

kwiklot wrote:If i may inquire which service uses TOTM for i have never seen them issued in any setting.
They are used by the US Army Reserve, possibly also Army National Guard, during training in the USA.

kwiklot
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Re: A Tale of Two TOTMs

Post by kwiklot » Sat Jun 11, 2016 10:21 pm

that would make sense. no big army funding when stateside or at least very little. RA just throws regular MRE's around like candy

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