MRE Confusion

jndallas · Post by **jndallas** » Sun Feb 20, 2005 12:42 am

I just bought 3 cases of MRE's on Ebay for $118 shipped ($3.25 a meal). The seller claims the expiration date is 03/03. However, all the white gum is turning yellow, yet the chocolates (M&M's and such) are in better shape than some I have seen in 04 productions. The main course and the menu #s are scattered across a period of 98-04, yet all the packaging seems to match. My first hint of a problem is no heaters. GRR. Not that I use them (I voted cold on the poll) but they are great for blowing things up (dont ask me how if you don't know). The lack of the heater concerns me because I thought heaters were included in 1996. Surley these things cant be that old, can they? The seller lives in Georgia. There's a large base there, I was assuming they were coming from there. I think they may be confused on the date code. Any help or advice would be nice. Thanks. And sorry this was so long.

Mirage · Post by **Mirage** » Sun Feb 20, 2005 1:30 am

It may well be that you got aftermarket ones and not real Army MREs.

For dating, check this page on our site:

http://www.mreinfo.com/mres-how-old.html

Also, look into the civilain MRE pages for additional info, to see if that is what they might be.

jndallas · Post by **jndallas** » Sun Feb 20, 2005 1:37 am

I am pretty sure they are real. There is however a couple of differences. Like the creamer is in a white package from carnation ( I think) instead of the military brown paper. It's just odd. Thanks for the website, I have already been there. That is how I found this fine place!

Mirage · Post by **Mirage** » Sun Feb 20, 2005 1:46 am

They may well have made an exception for a particular contract run and put in commercial packages. Without more details from the side of the case I don't know what other info to provide.

jndallas · Post by **jndallas** » Sun Feb 20, 2005 2:02 am

Maybe so. Althought I had retail non dairy in some of the mid 90's mres as well as retail packed tootsie rolls. Here is the auction #, you can see a pic of the case pack on ebay. 5162272441 I don't guess it matters. But the meals seem geniune. What do I know, I am a newbie!

Mirage · Post by **Mirage** » Sun Feb 20, 2005 3:55 am

They have in the past included commercial snacks or candies. As per my PM I checked the auction and these look like Menu XIX, and going by the picture I think these are the real thing.

Post by **kman** » Sun Feb 20, 2005 9:57 am

Hi jndallas. Welcome to the forums!

There have been a number of runs of MRE cases that did not include heaters. Here are a few picures of those cases:

Maybe your cases weren't marked? Or maybe they were marked and someone took that sticker off.

jndallas · Post by **jndallas** » Sun Feb 20, 2005 1:02 pm

That is a valid point. I never thought that they may have been left out on purpose.

MRE Confusion

MRE Confusion

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