yes I have Google! and I have read tons of threads here.
However, I would like some advice on what brand and how best to buy a few cases of MRE’s. I know a few different brands are available and I have read that true government MRE’s are not readily accessible. So those here with more knowledge than me, point me in the right direction. I am looking at just ordering from the “Ready store” but still not sure what direction is best. I even saw two different offerings at a local shop with 2016 expire dates.
Govt issue MRE’s are available on eBay and most “G.I. Joe” type stores near military bases. I prefer the “real” USGI ones, they are marked govt property and not for resale, but I’ve ordered some from eBay, no black helicopters circling yet…yet :ph34r: It seems hard to find aftermarket MRE’s with the calorie count of the real ones. Are you just looking for something to use for camping or do you want some for just in case? Have you looked into Wise Foods and the other dehydrated food makers?
I am getting more interested in being prepared. I have just a starting amount of Wise dehydrated items and I thought it a good idea to have just few MRE’s, thinking two cases. Certainly I have a lot to complete toward a water plan. My question is to be able to buy right the first time by tapping experience here on the forum. I just don’t know what brand and what to buy, would rather not guess.
Check out Mountain House meals, Mary Janes Farm, Breedlove foods, etc. Dehydrated, add water and they are worlds better than MRE’s also much lighter, can provide more calories, most taste better, etc.
I have access to plenty of MRE’s and have had them available for my entire career. I keep dehydrated camping food in my basement, use it for camping and in the event of an emergency.
Best bet is to get a couple and taste test. That will seal the deal.
Those are good prices at Armygear.net. My local surplus store wants $10 ea and (I think) $109 for a case, and they look a bit old, but then again, this is the DC area, so everything is expensive.
I was in an Air Force commissary a couple weeks ago while on TDY and noticed that they sell MREs. I’m not sure if any of my local Army commissaries sell them (quite possible I’ve just never noticed). I believe they were $8.50 ea, but at least they are new, tax free, and direct from the source without shipping.
I’ll chip in that I had a good experience with ArmyGear.net too. Price was cheap and the quality and condition were excellent, so I would have no problem ordering from them again (once it gets cool here like Mark said)
Are the dates pretty good from Armygear.net? I try to rotate about one case per year in to keep a rotation that leaves me a few dozen on hand at any given time.
Today, I was sitting in my truck eating a Chili Mac MRE. And as I was squeezing the solid brown colored, sitting-in-100-degree cheese into the meal, I wondered just how long those cases were in storage before putting them in the trucks.
And then I ate it and haven’t shit myself to death. Yet. Will post SITREP in 24 hours.
Also, for anyone who’s interested, the LRRP Rations are WAY better than MREs. They require boiling water, which is a pain in the ass in the field. But they pack light and are actually pretty delicious. They’re freeze dried and last a long, long time.
Plus, they have astronaut ice cream in them. Win.
*EDIT: Just tried to find some for sale out of curiosity. Holy hell, they’re way overpriced on eBay. If I can find somewhere selling them for a decent price, I’ll put the link in this post with a future edit. But for now, just stick to whatever freeze dried food sources you have. I thought they’d be more in line with MRE prices.
I had this happen on a solo shoot out in the sticks. Busted out an old MRE of unknown origin/care, and it had some rough looking brown fruit cocktail in it. And the main entre was a little wild… but I didn’t get sick or anyting.
I try to take very good care of my MREs, and won’t buy them from unknown vendors.
My girlfriend and I recently visited a “prepper” store in another city, and the owner kept telling us that military MRE’s should be consumed with a lot of water so that you maintain normal bowel functions, otherwise they will plug you up–but GOOD.
How true is this?
Are there other ways to prevent this from happening other than drinking lots of water (so that you don’t go through your water supply too quickly)?
I’m guessing MRE’s are filling enough that in an emergency situation you probably would only eat one a day, but I could be wrong.
What are some of the things to remember when consuming MRE’s?
I’ve ate MRE’s for an extended period of time and let me tell you… When it decides it wants to come out it didn’t care where you are are what you are doing its pretty bad, I’d stock up on some stool softeners if you are going to rely on nothing but MRE’s
