Malaysian Army 24-hour ration pack

[donaldjcheek]

The Royal Malaysian Army (Tentera Diraja Malaysia - TDM) issues a substantial 24-hour ration pack to its soldiers. Each pack consists of a large plastic bag with several silver or green plastic-foil retort pouches inside. Most items in the ration are locally procured and are designed to cater to local tastes. Comes in 4 menus (A - D) and conforms to Muslim Halal dietary guidelines.

Each ration contains 10 (yes, TEN) 140 g main meal pouches: 2 pouches of vegetables, 2 pouches of meat combinations (beef or chicken - no pork), 2 pouches or tins of seafood, 2 pouches of porridge mix (black bean porridge & pre-sweetened flour porridge), and 2 pouches or cans of fruit in syrup (pineapple & papaya).

Each ration pack also includes: 2 packs (6/pack, 80 g each) of hard Army crackers, 1 pouch of jam or marmalade (40 g), 2 packets of instant coffee (2 g each), 6 tea bags (or two 12-g envelopes of loose tea), 4 envelopes of milk powder (6 g each), 2 bags sugar (110 g each), 1 bag of salt (32 g), 1 box of moisture-resistant matches (30 sticks), 2 four-ply napkins, and 2 Vitamin B complex tablets and 2 Vitamin C pills.

Issued separately with each ration are two plastic pouches of quick-cooking dehydrated rice and a 4-pack of fuel tablets.

The entire ration thus weighs over 2 kg (about 4.5 lbs), and was intended to sustain 1 soldier for 1 day. However, Malaysian soldiers found out that by combining their pack with a buddy's, the ration would last one-and-a-half to two days. Current TDM practice reflects this, as each soldier is now given 2 ration packs for every three days.

Menu A: Beef Rendang, Chicken Curry, Sweet & Sour Fish, Anchovies Sambal, Pinapple Pajeri, Bean Curd vegetable mix, pineapple slices in syrup, and papaya in syrup.

Menu B: Beef Serunding, Chicken Kurma, Sardines in Tomato Sauce, Prawn Sambal, Pineapple Pajeri, Bean Curd vegetable mix, pineapple in syrup, and papaya in syrup.

Menu C: Beef Kurma, Chicken Masek Merah, Fish Curry, Shrimp Sambal, Bean Curd vegetable mix, Long Bean stew, pineapple slices in syrup, and papaya in syrup.

Menu D: Chicken Kurma, Chicken Curry, Sweet & Sour Fish, Anchovies Sambal, Pineapple Pajeri, Bean Curd vegetable mix, pineapple slices in syrup, and papaya in syrup.

[Bypah]

Interesting article donald...Thanks!
I see also that thay are halal.
If you have noticed halal rations have more food than our regular rations here in the west.

[Treesuit]

Wow, that looks pretty tasty as far as meals go....any chance of a taste test or food review.

[hannonmc]

That is a serious 24-hour ration... You could certainly make some nice meals with that.

[laughing_man]

It is very interesting
The picture of a main meal will please me