2013 TOTM Review

[RockyRaab]

Yesterday I went fishing - half for the fishing and half to enjoy a TOTM meal. Fishing was okay; the beef stew TOTM was better.

This was a 2013 issue TOTM meal I purchased at my local commissary (I'm a USAF retiree). The Training Meal's reduced contents included the entree, FRH, Crackers, Peanut Butter, Drink Base, Applesauce with Raspberry puree, M&Ms, and an abbreviated Accessory Packet (no matches, toilet paper, coffee, creamer, sugar, or gum).

Heated as per usual, the beef stew is best described as "Dinty MRE." If you like the beef stew that Dinty Moore makes, you'll like the MRE version even better. I think the meat chunks were actually larger and the stew itself less salty than the canned variety. The vegetables were recognizable and had good texture. I added some of the salt and pepper, which aided the flavor even more. In short, I liked the entree a lot. This beef stew would get passing grades if it were secretly served in a diner.

The raspberry applesauce was a bit sweet for me, but very good. I don't generally crave sweets, but this hit the spot. There's nothing much new I can add to the standard crackers, peanut butter and drink mix - or the M&Ms, obviously. All exactly as you'd expect if you've eaten many MREs.

Edit: Thanks for moving this to the correct forum. What a maroon....LOL!

[mreheater72]

Thank you for your nice review ! BEEF STEW is a very fine entree, evidence for that is that BEEF STEW is the only one that is part of MREs with no break since MRE I (1981) . The quality of that main dish changed during the years, sometimes they used "normal" meat , sometimes it was pressed .

TOTMs are available at commissaries ?

So long mreheater72

[Ruleryak]

Hey heater, thanks for teaching me something new! I hadn't realized that the Beef Stew had made it through without any gaps. Too bad Meatballs in BBQ Sauce didn't make it anywhere near as long - always like that one more than the Beef Stew.

[RockyRaab]

Heater, my commissary (Hill AFB, Utah) sells both MREs and TOTMs either singly or by the case. Choice is a bit random, as when they get low on singles they just open a case or two and put those out. The "best" ones go immediately, of course. So if you shop at the wrong time, you may find few meals out, and they'll all be the "runt of the litter". Usually the vegetarian choices go last. (If folks knew how good the ratatouille is - or WHAT it is - that might be different!)

[Yowie]

Great review mate
hope you caught a fish

[mreheater72]

Heater, my commissary (Hill AFB, Utah) sells both MREs and TOTMs either singly or by the case…

That is amazing ! Which persons can buy in commissaries? Only soldiers or also "normal" civilians?

I´m not sure whether you can by EPAs officially in Germany!? Perhaps housil knows that (Olli, any idea?)

[housil]

I´m not sure whether you can by EPAs officially in Germany!? Perhaps housil knows that (Olli, any idea?)

You could back in the "good old days" at the StOV, that where I bought my 10 cases back in 1991 for DM5 per EPa.
Nowadays they don´t sale them anymore (I have sent a request to the Verpflegungsamt) due to their own needs in Afghanistan.

[mreheater72]

I´m not sure whether you can by EPAs officially in Germany!? Perhaps housil knows that (Olli, any idea?)

You could back in the "good old days" at the StOV, that where I bought my 10 cases back in 1991 for DM5 per EPa.
Nowadays they don´t sale them anymore (I have sent a request to the Verpflegungsamt) due to their own needs in Afghanistan.

Thanks for Information Olli !

I remember a open "Open house day" (I guess it was 1985 or 1986) at the Bundeswehr Barracks in Wunsiedel, Germany. Here they sold EPAs for 5,83 DM (I still know the price today because it was so funny). In those days I bought two of them.

[cavguy]

Which persons can buy in commissaries

You have to be authorized to purchase items at the base commissary, your DOD ID card lets them know if you are authorized, sometimes there is a letter too that is accepted. Anyone can enter, but you are supposed to be authorized to purchase, and the tellers are supposed to check your ID before you can purchase anything.

[mreheater72]

Which persons can buy in commissaries

You have to be authorized to purchase items at the base commissary, your DOD ID card lets them know if you are authorized, sometimes there is a letter too that is accepted. Anyone can enter, but you are supposed to be authorized to purchase, and the tellers are supposed to check your ID before you can purchase anything.

cavguy, thanks for information !