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Old 07-10-2018, 07:27 AM
dragoon500ly dragoon500ly is offline
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Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: East Tennessee, USA
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When discussing rations and the Project, our baseline is TM1-1 where the Ration Pack is described as weighing a total of 17kg and consisting of “a backpack of dehydrated food, canned juices and vitamins sufficient for 4 people for 15 days. The pack also contains materials for heating, a folding pot, and water purification tablets.” From this we can infer that the backpack contains 180 meals.

A review of the various loadouts for the Project vehicles confirms that there is no supplemental food preparation equipment beyond the folding pot and the member’s individual mess kits.

One of the problems with long-term dehydrated food usage is the impact these rations have on the body. There is a running joke that such rations are designed to be nutritious, long lasting, and taste good…you get to pick two.

The problem for the Project planners is then two-fold, either sufficient rations are made available to the teams, taking up much needed space for other necessary supplies, or at some point, the team must be strongly encouraged to live off the land.

To assist in freeing up storage space, it now becomes necessary to insure that the teams have the necessary ability to feed themselves. This approach requires some necessary additions to the standard equipment load.

Butchering Kit, weight 3.5kg: this is a plastic case that contains the following equipment for dressing game: a 3-inch caping knife; a 4.25-inch skinning knife; a 5.5-inch boning/fillet knife; a 8-inch butcher knife; a 10-inch wood/bone saw; a 6.5-inch cleaver; a 5.25-inch carving fork; a pair of heavy-duty game shears; a 10”x14” cutting board; a spreader; a knife sharpener and a Gambrel and hoist system (lift capacity of 238kg). Scale of issue, one per V-150.

Camp Mate, weighs 4kg: this is a plastic and steel portable organizer with over 7,000 cubic-inches of storage space. The top storage area can hold a camp stove and its protective lid can also double as a sink. A silverware tray doubles as a dish strainer. Plate and cutting board storage inside the main compartment holds plateware for up to eight. Both doors are equipped with racks for holding spices and seasonings.

Camp Stove, weight 5.4kg: this is an electrical stove with two large and one small burners. The case can double as a windscreen and it can be connected to a Project vehicle by means of an extension cord.

Coffee Pot, weighs 1kg: a stainless steel, 14-cup capacity pot. What more needs to be said, coffee is life!

Food Preparation, Field, weighs 20.4kg: contained in a fiberglass box are a 2 can openers, 2qt cast-iron pot w/lid; 6qt cast iron pot w/lid; 12” cast-iron skillet w/lid; 10”x6: cutting board; 8-inch butcher’s knife; 5-inch slicing knife; 3-inch paring knife; ladle; large fork; medium spoon; spatula.

From our own Kato13 comes his Food Kit, Bulk, consisting of five fiberglass crates with a total weight of 179.6kg. It contains:

Crate, Fiberglass 24 x 20 x 10”, Collapsible #1: Caffeine Gum Pack of 5 (100); Can Opener, P-38 (8); Can, 1kg, Dehydrated Apples; Can, 1kg Dehydrated Bananas; Can, 1kg, Dehydrated Carrots; Can, 1kg, Dehydrated Cherries; Can, 1kg, Dehydrated Potato Diced; Can, 1kg, Freeze-dried Beef (4) ; Bag, ½-lb, Gravy Powder (2); Bag, ½-lb, Pepper, Black; Bag, 1kg White Sugar
Crate, Fiberglass 24 x 20 x 10”, Collapsible #2: Chocolate bars, 16-oz (10); Can, 1kg, Dehydrated Applesauce; Can, 1kg, Dehydrated Celery; Can, 1kg, Dehydrated Fruit Cocktail; Can, 1kg, Dehydrated Potato Flakes; Bag, 5kg, Flour, Brown (2); Can, 1kg, Freeze-dried Chicken (4); Bottle, Multi-vitamins, 100 units (10) ; Jar, ½-kg Peanut Butter; Bag, Survival Biscuits, 50 each (4)

Crate, Fiberglass 24 x 20 x 10”, Collapsible #3: Can, 12-oz, Butter, Long Term Storage (3) ; Can, 1kg, Dehydrated Green Beans; Can, ½-kg, Dehydrated Ketchup; Can, 1kg, Dehydrated Peaches; Can, 1kg, Dehydrated Strawberries; Can, 1kg, Dehydrated Sweet Corn; Bag, 5kg, Flour, White (2); Gum Pellets, pack of 50 (20); Jar, 1kg, Honey (4); Bottle, ½-kg, Maple Syrup (4); Cubes, Sugar, pack of 50 (20)

Crate, Fiberglass 24 x 20 x 10”, Collapsible #4: Bottle, 1-Liter, Corn Oil (4); Can, 1kg, Dehydrated Apricots; Can, 1kg, Dehydrated Onions; Can, 1kg, Raisins; Package, 1kg, Pasta (8); Bag, ½-kg, Red Pepper; Bag, 3kg, Egg, Powdered (2); Bag, 5kg, Red Beans; Can, ½-kg, Tomato Paste (4)

Crate, Fiberglass 24 x 20 x 10”, Collapsible #5: Can, 1kg, Dehydrated Blueberries; Bag, ½-kg Dehydrated Mustard; Can, 1kg, Dehydrated Red/Green Peppers; Bag, 5kg, Rice, Brown (3); Bag, ½-kg, Powdered Chocolate(2); Bag, 5kg, Powdered Milk; Bag, 1.2-kg Dried Coffee (3); Bag, ½-kg Tea, Black (2); Bag, 1kg, Salt, Iodized (10); Bottles, 3-oz, Spices, Various (12)

Finally, my take on the Ration Pack.
My impressions of the canon ration pack is that someone went to an outdoor supply store and weighed freeze-dried meals and came up with this idea. Over the years, various PDs have implanted C-Rations, MCIs, MREs, LRRP Rations etc., without really considering the long term impact such rations have. Thanks to a couple of buddies in the U.K. and Australia/New Zealand, I was introduced to the 24-hour Combat Ration. Simply, this is a 2kg cardboard box, that contains a high-impact plastic wrapped of material, sufficient for two main meals, a midday snack and a number of sundry items.

The Combat Ration, Individual is issued in cases of 12 CRI (weighing 25kg) or in pallets of 40 cases (weighing 1,000kg).

It consists of twelve menus:

Menu A: Beef Steak with Mushrooms; Red Beans & Rice; Soup, Savory; Beverage Powder, Lemon & Lime; Beverage Powder, Tropical; Crackers; Shortbread Cookies; Freeze-dried Potatoes & Onions; Fruit Grains, Apricot; Fruit Spread, Blackberry; Fruit, Peaches, Dices; Muesli Cereal, Fruitful; Dried, Skim Milk; Sauce Tomato; Milk, Sweet Condensed; Cheese Cheddar, Canned; Chocolate Bars (2); Beverage, Coffee, Instant (2); Tea Bags (2); Sugar (7); Candy Chocolate M&M’s); Candy Hard, Various (2); Chewing Gum (2); Pepper, Black; Salt; Bag, Plastic Resealable; Bag, Plastic, Inner; Rubber Bands, size 32 (2); Rubber Band, size 61; Can Opener, Hand; Matches, Safety Vial; Pad, Scouring Nylon; Toilet Paper Sheets (15); Menu Sheet; Ingredient Sheet.

Menu B: Beef, Minced w/Spaghetti; Chicken, Italiano; Soup, Beef; Beverage Powder, Mixed Berry; Beverage Powder, Grape; Crackers, Wheat Snack Bread; Fudge Brownie, Tuna in Springwater; Fruit Grains, Strawberry; Fruit Spread, Apple; Fruit, Peaches, Diced; Sauce BBQ; Sauce Tomato; Cheese Spread; Milk, Sweet Condensed; Cheese Cheddar, Canned; Chocolate Bars (2); Beverage, Coffee, Instant (2); Tea Bags (2); Sugar (7); Candy Chocolate M&M’s); Candy Hard, Various (2); Chewing Gum (2); Pepper, Black; Salt; Bag, Plastic Resealable; Bag, Plastic, Inner; Rubber Bands, size 32 (2); Rubber Band, size 61; Can Opener, Hand; Matches, Safety Vial; Pad, Scouring Nylon; Toilet Paper Sheets (15); Menu Sheet; Ingredient Sheet.

Menu C: Pork Rib; Braised Beef & Gravy; Clam Chowder, Cheese Spread, Wheat Snack Bread (2), Beverage Powder, Orange; Beverage Powder, Tropical; Wheat Snack Bread (2); Tuna in Springwater; Fruit Grains, Mixed berry; Fruit Spread, Raspberry; Fruit, Pears, Diced; Noodles, Chicken Flavor, Hot Sauce; Milk, Sweet Condensed; Cheese Cheddar, Canned; Chocolate Bars (2); Beverage, Coffee, Instant (2); Tea Bags (2); Sugar (7); Candy Chocolate M&M’s); Candy Hard, Various (2); Chewing Gum (2); Pepper, Black; Salt; Bag, Plastic Resealable; Bag, Plastic, Inner; Rubber Bands, size 32 (2); Rubber Band, size 61; Can Opener, Hand; Matches, Safety Vial; Pad, Scouring Nylon; Toilet Paper Sheets (15); Menu Sheet; Ingredient Sheet.

Menu D: Beef BBQ; Chicken BBQ; Soup, Chicken; Beverage Powder, Lemon & Lime; Beverage Powder, Orange, Crackers (2), Fruit Grains, Apricot; Fruit Spread, Strawberry; Fruit, Apples, Diced; Muesli Cereal, Natural; Milk, Dried Skim; Noodles, Beef Flavor; Sauce BBQ; Sauce, Tomato; Milk, Sweet Condensed; Cheese Cheddar, Canned; Chocolate Bars (2); Beverage, Coffee, Instant (2); Tea Bags (2); Sugar (7); Candy Chocolate M&M’s); Candy Hard, Various (2); Chewing Gum (2); Pepper, Black; Salt; Bag, Plastic Resealable; Bag, Plastic, Inner; Rubber Bands, size 32 (2); Rubber Band, size 61; Can Opener, Hand; Matches, Safety Vial; Pad, Scouring Nylon; Toilet Paper Sheets (15); Menu Sheet; Ingredient Sheet.

Menu E: Beef Mince w/Tortellini; Salmon & Pasta Mornay; Soup, Tomato; Beverage Powder, Raspberry; Beverage Powder, Lemon & Lime; Crackers, Wheat Snack Bread; Freeze-dried Rice; Fruit Grains, Strawberry; Fruit Spread, Apple; Fruit Cocktail, Muesli Cereal, Fruitful; Milk, Dried Skim; Noodles, Chicken Flavor; Sauce BBQ, Sauce Tomato; Milk, Sweet Condensed; Cheese Cheddar, Canned; Chocolate Bars (2); Beverage, Coffee, Instant (2); Tea Bags (2); Sugar (7); Candy Chocolate M&M’s); Candy Hard, Various (2); Chewing Gum (2); Pepper, Black; Salt; Bag, Plastic Resealable; Bag, Plastic, Inner; Rubber Bands, size 32 (2); Rubber Band, size 61; Can Opener, Hand; Matches, Safety Vial; Pad, Scouring Nylon; Toilet Paper Sheets (15); Menu Sheet; Ingredient Sheet.

Menu F: Beef Teriyaki; Chicken Breast; Minestrone Stew; Jalapeno Cheese Spread; Wheat Snack Bread (2); Pound Cake; Beverage Powder, Orange; Beverage Powder, Grape; Fruit Grains, Apricot; Fruit Spread, Blackberry; Fruit, Peach, Diced; Noodles, Beef Flavor; Sauce, BBQ, Sauce Sweet Chili; Milk, Sweet Condensed; Cheese Cheddar, Canned; Chocolate Bars (2); Beverage, Coffee, Instant (2); Tea Bags (2); Sugar (7); Candy Chocolate M&M’s); Candy Hard, Various (2); Chewing Gum (2); Pepper, Black; Salt; Bag, Plastic Resealable; Bag, Plastic, Inner; Rubber Bands, size 32 (2); Rubber Band, size 61; Can Opener, Hand; Matches, Safety Vial; Pad, Scouring Nylon; Toilet Paper Sheets (15); Menu Sheet; Ingredient Sheet.

Menu G: Chili Con Carne; Chicken w/Thai Sauce, Rice Pilaf, Soup, Beef; Beverage Powder, Mixed Berry; Beverage Powder, Orange; Crackers (2); Fruit Grains, Blackberry; Fruit Spread, Raspberry; Fruit, Pears, Diced; Muesli Cereal, Natural, Milk, Dried Skim; Sauce, Sweet Chili; Sauce, Tomato; Milk, Sweet Condensed; Cheese Cheddar, Canned; Chocolate Bars (2); Beverage, Coffee, Instant (2); Tea Bags (2); Sugar (7); Candy Chocolate M&M’s); Candy Hard, Various (2); Chewing Gum (2); Pepper, Black; Salt; Bag, Plastic Resealable; Bag, Plastic, Inner; Rubber Bands, size 32 (2); Rubber Band, size 61; Can Opener, Hand; Matches, Safety Vial; Pad, Scouring Nylon; Toilet Paper Sheets (15); Menu Sheet; Ingredient Sheet.

Menu H: Baked Beacons & Bacon; Turkey Breast w/Gravy & Potatoes; Soup, Savory; Beverage Powder, Lemon & Lime; Beverage Powder, Mixed Berry; Wheat Snack Bread (2); Fruit Grains, Mixed Berry; Fruit Spread, Orange; Fruit, Peaches, Diced; Muesli Cereal, Fruitful; Sauce, Tomato; Milk, Sweet Condensed; Cheese Cheddar, Canned; Chocolate Bars (2); Beverage, Coffee, Instant (2); Tea Bags (2); Sugar (7); Candy Chocolate M&M’s); Candy Hard, Various (2); Chewing Gum (2); Pepper, Black; Salt; Bag, Plastic Resealable; Bag, Plastic, Inner; Rubber Bands, size 32 (2); Rubber Band, size 61; Can Opener, Hand; Matches, Safety Vial; Pad, Scouring Nylon; Toilet Paper Sheets (15); Menu Sheet; Ingredient Sheet.

Menu I: Beef Patty; Chicken w/Salsa; Rice; Nacho Cheese; Pretzels; Beef Strip; Beverage Powder, Orange; Beverage Powder, Spiced Apple Cider; Cheese Spread; Wheat Snack Bread (2); Sauce, BBQ; Hot Sauce; Milk, Sweet Condensed; Cheese Cheddar, Canned; Chocolate Bars (2); Beverage, Coffee, Instant (2); Tea Bags (2); Sugar (7); Candy Chocolate M&M’s); Candy Hard, Various (2); Chewing Gum (2); Pepper, Black; Salt; Bag, Plastic Resealable; Bag, Plastic, Inner; Rubber Bands, size 32 (2); Rubber Band, size 61; Can Opener, Hand; Matches, Safety Vial; Pad, Scouring Nylon; Toilet Paper Sheets (15); Menu Sheet; Ingredient Sheet.

Menu J: Beef Ravioli; Country Captain Chicken; Buttered Noodles; Potato Sticks; Cheese Spread; Crackers (2); Fudge Brownie; Beverage Powder, Orange; Beverage Powder, Cocoa; Fruit Grains, Apricot; Fruit Spread, Strawberry; Fruit, Apples, Diced; Muesli Cereal, Natural; Milk, Dried Skim; Noodles, Beef Flavor; Hot Sauce; Milk, Sweet Condensed; Cheese Cheddar, Canned; Chocolate Bars (2); Beverage, Coffee, Instant (2); Tea Bags (2); Sugar (7); Candy Chocolate M&M’s); Candy Hard, Various (2); Chewing Gum (2); Pepper, Black; Salt; Bag, Plastic Resealable; Bag, Plastic, Inner; Rubber Bands, size 32 (2); Rubber Band, size 61; Can Opener, Hand; Matches, Safety Vial; Pad, Scouring Nylon; Toilet Paper Sheets (15); Menu Sheet; Ingredient Sheet.

Menu K: Chicken w/Thai Sauce; Beef Stew; Rice Pilaf; Peanut Butter; Crackers (2), Raisin Nut Mix; Hot Sauce; Beverage Powder, Mixed Berry; Beverage Powder, Lemon & Lime; Fruit Grains, Blackberry; Fruit Spread, Orange; Fruit, Apples, Diced; Noodles, Chicken Flavor; Muesli Cereal, Natural; Milk, Dried Skim;

Menu L: Black Bean & Rice Burrito; Beef Enchilada; Mexican Rice; Crackers (2), Jalapeno Cheese Spread; Fruit Grains, Strawberry; Fruit Spread, Apple; Fruit Cocktail, Muesli Cereal, Fruitful; Milk, Dried Skim; Noodles, Chicken Flavor; Sauce BBQ, Sauce Tomato; Milk, Sweet Condensed; Cheese Cheddar, Canned; Chocolate Bars (2); Beverage, Coffee, Instant (2); Tea Bags (2); Sugar (7); Candy Chocolate M&M’s); Candy Hard, Various (2); Chewing Gum (2); Pepper, Black; Salt; Bag, Plastic Resealable; Bag, Plastic, Inner; Rubber Bands, size 32 (2); Rubber Band, size 61; Can Opener, Hand; Matches, Safety Vial; Pad, Scouring Nylon; Toilet Paper Sheets (15); Menu Sheet; Ingredient Sheet.

The new Ration Pack, now consists of 14 CRIs, 24 Energy Bars, 12 Emergency Ration Bars, 24 envelopes of water treatment powder (each good for 5qts); 18 envelopes of various flavors of Kool-Aid (each will make 5qts); 6 envelops of various flavors of Gatorade (each good for 5qts). Total weight goes up to 38kg.
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