Post
by donaldjcheek » Wed Jan 02, 2008 1:32 pm
Not only were the rations poor quality & unappetizing, they were low in nutrition. Three cans of boiled buckwheat mixed with fatty meat, and a chunk of dry black bread provided about 2700 - 2900 calories per day. Not quite enough for a soldier engaged in strenuous physical activity. The cans themselves were coated in a thick grease to prevent rust, and Soviet literature recommended dipping the cans in hot water to remove it.
Another factor concerning rations is the widespread practice of "Dudovshchina" in both the Soviet and the Russian armies. This is a long-held tradition wherein older soldiers literally beat new recruits into submission, and appropriate the best rations for themselves.
Also, there were different rations for different troops. For instance, officers weren't issued the Sukhoi Paek, but received special combat rations instead. These were similar to the "grunt" ration cans, but contained better quality food. Plus officers were issued extra cans of sweetened condensed milk, gingerbread, liver paste, and occasionally, an alcoholic beverage. So much for equality in the Soviet Army.
Sources indicate that all of these things haven't changed much in the post-Cold War Russian army. Rations, though "modernized," are still poor, and officers still get more and better.
"I think," said Christopher Robin, "that we ought to eat all our Provisions now, so that we shan't have so much to carry."