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HELP- I HAVE A BUNCH OF RCWS AND THE DATE CODES ARE DRIVING ME CRAZY. FOR INSTANCE-INSTANT OATMEAL DATE CODED 8128. DOES THIS MEAN 2008? 1998? I UNDERSTAND THEY HAVE BEEN DISCONTINUED FOR A WHILE, BUT HOW TO DETERMINE THE CORRECT YEAR ?? THANKS.

Depends if it is a:

Ration, Cold Weather:

1998

or a Meal, Cold Weather

2008

RONJON wrote:HELP- I HAVE A BUNCH OF RCWS AND THE DATE CODES ARE DRIVING ME CRAZY. FOR INSTANCE-INSTANT OATMEAL DATE CODED 8128. DOES THIS MEAN 2008? 1998? I UNDERSTAND THEY HAVE BEEN DISCONTINUED FOR A WHILE, BUT HOW TO DETERMINE THE CORRECT YEAR ?? THANKS.

If you read the NATICK PAM 30-25, 3rd and 4th edition you will find the following information:

“[RCW] was available for troop issue in July 1989.”
“The RCW will not be procured after the year 2000.”
“The MCW/LRP documentation was completed in FY99 for FY00 initial procurement of the combined product.”

Some pics taken from my collection for illustration:

RCW Case DoP June 1989, perhaps first run RCWs


RCW Case DoP June 1989


RCW Menu 1A DoP June 1989


RCW Menu 1B DoP June 1989


RCW Case DoP September 1999


RCW Case DoP September 1999


RCW Menu 5A DoP September 1999


RCW Menu 5B DoP September 1999


MCW Case DoP March 2004


MCW Case DoP March 2004


MCW Menus 12 and 2 DoP 2004


MCW Menus (FOOD PACKET COLD WEATHER, that designation is wrong) 5 and 4 DoP 2004


So long mreheater72

I WOULD ASSUME FROM MY RCW (RATION, COLD WEATHER) DATED "8128" THAT IT WAS MADE IN 1998, SINCE THEY WERE NOT ISSUED IN 2008 . CORRECT ?

RONJON wrote:I WOULD ASSUME FROM MY RCW (RATION, COLD WEATHER) DATED "8128" THAT IT WAS MADE IN 1998, SINCE THEY WERE NOT ISSUED IN 2008 . CORRECT ?

Yes, that should be correct. If possible, post some pics !

So long mreheater72

ONE FINAL ITEM- SHELF LIFE OF THESE RATIONS (RCW) IS GIVEN AS 3 YEARS. I AM TOLD THAT THEY COULD LAST AS LONG AS 25 YEARS DUE TO THE NATURE OF THEIR PREPARATION. WHAT DO YOU THINK ??

RONJON, they can last a while if stored properly in a nice stable cool temperature.
I have several from the late 90's and they are still ok.

RONJON wrote:WHAT DO YOU THINK ??

First thought!? What´s wrong with your CAPS LOCK?
The shelf live mostly depends to the storage temperature, that´s what the TTI sticker is for.

I could also be just a month and not three years if stored at >120F

I ate 6 RCW's from 1998 - I'm still fine. I just got an old RCW that has fruit soup, Rasberry in it. I was pretty excited because I thought they only did the strawberry fruitsoup.
I think they put cocaine in RCW oatmeal cookies/bars because I think about it all the time and I have spent about $400 on eating old RCW's in 6 months. (Sorry guys I know you hate to hear that I am an eater and document-er on this stuff I only collect whats not edible still. )

Only thing that didn't last I found was the chicken soup if its in a paper packet like the ones in a store but if they're in foil packing they last forever.

Here's some 1989 RCW items packed from the Rafco Freeze Dried Company!


-First off, I have the Fig Bars, which are just fig newtons... they smelled strong of figs and tasted very sweet, soft, and chewy. Looks questionable to eat - but it was safe and tasted great!


P.S. I think I will start my own RCW review post soon with all my documentations since there may be some interest.