Early "Sock Rations"

Discussions about US MREs and other US rations
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Smitty
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Early "Sock Rations"

Post by Smitty » Fri Jan 10, 2020 5:08 pm

Another rabbit hole today that I'd figure I'd share with everyone. I saw this pop up for sale by the same seller as that PIR, and for another huge price, and was intrigued:

https://www.ebay.ca/itm/Early-War-CIA-S ... w0K5eEB8dz

An older MREInfo Post (viewtopic.php?f=4&t=2560) states" The ration contains 6 small packs and each pack (as I was told) contains, chocolate bar, cereal bar, freeze dried meat bar, coffee, gum. The bars are much like the survial ration bars. There was only 6 menus and their is one of each in the sock"
Prior to the Counter Insurgency Support Office (CISO) PIR Ration the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) created a portable food packet that were issued in seal foil pouch. Each packet contained some form of a meat product, a snack, two instant coffee packets, two sugars, salt, and a flavoring powder. The meals were placed in wool tube and termed Sock Rations by the veterans. I am uncertain just how many menus there were.
- https://specialforceshistory.com/uniform/sock-ration/

Mention of it from a vet:
I think you might be talking about the SF issue Early VN era experimental "Sock rations", these were similar to LRRP rations. They came in a sock-like tube (same material) with about 6 rations per.
Attachments
sock5.png
sock4.png
sock3.png
sock2.png
sock1.png
sock0.png
All the best, Gents.

- I'm also making videos mainly for my own enjoyment, but hey, maybe you might want to check them out: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4-9gp ... C1dSyPX0w/

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parafireboy
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Re: Early "Sock Rations"

Post by parafireboy » Wed Jan 15, 2020 12:17 am

That’s really cool! I never knew such a ration existed. Thanks for sharing!

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housil
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Re: Early "Sock Rations"

Post by housil » Wed Jan 15, 2020 5:31 am

Smitty wrote:
Fri Jan 10, 2020 5:08 pm
There was only 6 menus and their is one of each in the sock"
Did they have them literally in their socks or is it just a saying?

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Smitty
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Re: Early "Sock Rations"

Post by Smitty » Wed Jan 15, 2020 12:23 pm

housil wrote:
Wed Jan 15, 2020 5:31 am
Did they have them literally in their socks or is it just a saying?
They came inside that large fabric tube. It’s longer than a sock but since sock knitting machines can make any length, I would
Imagine they used the same machines. Just a hunch.

All the best, Gents.

- I'm also making videos mainly for my own enjoyment, but hey, maybe you might want to check them out: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4-9gp ... C1dSyPX0w/

norge
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Re: Early "Sock Rations"

Post by norge » Wed Jan 15, 2020 1:50 pm

they did the same with the mci cans to lower noise on ambush patrol and for easy access, they tied the rations to the light weight ruck and in the beginning the troops used the olive green socks they had issued for the jungle boots.

forgot to say this was done in Vietnam war mostly.

cheers ken

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Smitty
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Re: Early "Sock Rations"

Post by Smitty » Sun Apr 24, 2022 10:59 pm

Well holy molly. A pile of these got listed on EBay yesterday! They were labelled entirely wrong but I knew what they were. I bought two but I should have bought them all especially at $10. Incredibly excited

Based on what was available, the menu numbers went up to 10
Attachments
1D06BC43-5E65-4B61-BE27-018439B6CD47.jpeg
All the best, Gents.

- I'm also making videos mainly for my own enjoyment, but hey, maybe you might want to check them out: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4-9gp ... C1dSyPX0w/

ChowLine
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Re: Early "Sock Rations"

Post by ChowLine » Sun Apr 24, 2022 11:12 pm

Smitty wrote:
Sun Apr 24, 2022 10:59 pm
Well holy molly. A pile of these got listed on EBay yesterday! They were labelled entirely wrong but I knew what they were. I bought two but I should have bought them all especially at $10. Incredibly excited

Based on what was available, the menu numbers went up to 10
Are some still available? Cant believe I missed these! Would be great to add just one to the ChowLine collection.

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Smitty
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Re: Early "Sock Rations"

Post by Smitty » Mon Apr 25, 2022 1:20 am

ChowLine wrote:
Sun Apr 24, 2022 11:12 pm
Are some still available? Cant believe I missed these! Would be great to add just one to the ChowLine collection.
Sadly they sold out in minutes. The lister had them set for “k rations” and I just happened to glance at a notification. Initially didn’t buy them all because I was like “ah two is enough” and I don’t resell, but now am kicking myself hahah
All the best, Gents.

- I'm also making videos mainly for my own enjoyment, but hey, maybe you might want to check them out: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4-9gp ... C1dSyPX0w/

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Tedster
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"Sock Rations"

Post by Tedster » Mon Apr 25, 2022 8:23 am

Wilson's Meat Bar - now there's a blast from the past. Colin Fletcher, considered to be the "father" of backpacking, was a big fan of these. He hiked the length of California in the 1950s subsisting largely on these, and mashed potatoes & "gravy" made with dehydrated soups. Maybe it tasted better than it sounds.

texrdnec
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Re: Early "Sock Rations"

Post by texrdnec » Sun May 01, 2022 11:37 am

Whole mess of these just came and went on eBay for $55 this time

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