Unusual MRE on ebay

ockham · Post by **ockham** » Tue Jan 17, 2006 11:07 am

Anybody seen this one yet?
http://cgi.ebay.com/USMC-MRE-MEAL-READY ... dZViewItem

They're USMC rations, but the packages look like foil tins instead of the plactic bags...

Post by **kman** » Tue Jan 17, 2006 11:18 am

Hi ockham. Yes, I've seen those before. Those are T-rats (tray rations). These used to be used for group feeding - something like 12-18 servings per tray.

IIRC, these foil-based trays were replaced by plastic trays now found in the UGRs (Unitized Group Rations):

http://www.dscp.dla.mil/subs/rations/pr ... uhsabt.htm

However, I read something somewhere that the Marines didn't want to give up the foil trays so they're the only branch still using them.

MreKampr · Post by **MreKampr** » Tue Jan 17, 2006 11:21 am

Kman probably knows better
But i think these are mess hall type rations
not for a individual but a group
Interesting that they state "not for consumption..collectable only items"

edit..LOL--Kman..your quick

CaptBob · Post by **CaptBob** » Tue Jan 17, 2006 1:03 pm

They're good for parties!

Or, if you REALLY enjoy leftovers.

ockham · Post by **ockham** » Tue Jan 17, 2006 4:32 pm

MreKampr wrote: Interesting that they state "not for consumption..collectable only items"

They probably don't have the same shelf life as MREs.
Again, kman can probalby answer that question better than me.

Lifesaver · Post by **Lifesaver** » Tue Jan 17, 2006 4:44 pm

I think the reason they are being sold as a collectable has to do with this statement.

"NOT FOR CONSUMPTION PACKAGE EXPIRED 060605 AND IS BEING SOLD AS A COLLECTIBLE ONLY!!!"

eBay has a policy that anything that is expired must carry the caveat that it is not intended for consumption.

Lifesaver

Post by **kman** » Tue Jan 17, 2006 4:49 pm

I did some searching and ran across this article:

Group food: Unitized ration fuels troops when field kitchens arrive
http://www.natick.army.mil/about/pao/pu ... ltoget.htm

Shelf life of the UGR-H&S was dropped from three years to 18 months at 80 degrees F to allow for more commercially-available items.

So it looks like the older t-rats might last as long as MREs but the shelf-life might be much shorter for the newer versions.

And here's the section from the same article that talks about the Marines' special requests:

A new UGR-B is scheduled to replace the Unitized B Ration in 2003.

The Unitized B Ration comprises mostly canned and dehydrated components packaged in metal or nonmetallic containers, and is ordered mainly by the Marine Corps. The Unitized B Ration currently consists of 10 breakfast and 10 lunch or dinner menus with a shelf life of 24 months at 80 degrees F. They require a kitchen to prepare but not refrigeration.

Harrington said the Marines requested more commercial items to be included in the new UGR-B and anticipates offering shelf-stable alternatives to the UGR-A's perishable components.

kyle · Post by **kyle** » Wed Jan 18, 2006 1:11 pm

Kman,Hi I have a bunch of Trats and they tast fine but I can't tell about the date can you? (est.13018 14a 91172 1619) Thanks

Post by **kman** » Wed Jan 18, 2006 1:17 pm

Sorry Kyle, can't tell from those numbers.

Post by **DIRTYDAVE** » Thu Jan 19, 2006 8:09 pm

MreKampr wrote:Kman probably knows better
But i think these are mess hall type rations
not for a individual but a group
Interesting that they state "not for consumption..collectable only items"

edit..LOL--Kman..your quick

Aw come on mrekampr, you could put one of those away by yourself...what are you a little "girlie" man...LOL!