MREInfo.com

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.

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

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?

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.

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

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

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.

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

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.

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