[December 29, 2024] Anyone who has spent any time in the military understands that every meal is a high point of the day (and mail call). A meal in the field during a military exercise, typically C-rations, is even better because it tastes extra good – so it seems. “C-rats” were a distraction from the dangerous and hard work, and it can be a time to chat with a few fellow Soldiers. Back in my enlisted days, our Squad Leader used to say of each meal, that it never tasted so good.
No sleep, check. No shower, check. No clean clothes, check. Hot, humid, dirty, check. Insects and snakes, check. Sergeants screaming at you, check. Dangerous equipment designed to kill, check. What’s there to not like out in the field or in combat? And the meals we ate were likely the very ones we would throw away, if it was served in the garrison’s mess hall or at a civilian restaurant.
But, that meal was different. It’s probably cold, watery, too salty, discolored, and yet, we could not have enough of it. The military feeds its troops on a specific calorie guide that does not take into account where or when the meal is served; garrison versus field, peacetime versus combat, summer or winter. You get what you get, period. Don’t complain because it wouldn’t do you any good.
You are likely not going to complain anyway because that meal you’re eating never tasted so good. The old C-rations in green cans were the best when eaten sitting down cross-legged, rifle slug over your shoulder, helmet upside down between your legs as the “C-rat” cans are collected for disposal. In the mid to late-1970s, we had C-rats manufactured in the 1950s and 60s. They came with cigarettes. If you were smart, you could trade those ‘smokes’ for your favorite pound cake dessert. I’m a non-smoker, so I ate extra good. Cigarettes are no longer in our MREs (bad for the health of a combat Soldier).
There were a few drawbacks to C-rations. They were heavy, relative to the calories you got from them. Also, some of the meals did not taste as well as we wanted. Tuna in oil was the most hated. I think eggs and ham was the next worst choice. Franks and beans was a regular favorite. Today’s MREs are far better. They taste better overall and are lighter because they come in a plastic bag. And, there are more calories per meal. Hunters and Boy Scouts are regular users of the MREs. No one lugs around C-rats anymore.
I can eat these only so long before I must have a home cooked meal. The longest I ever went eating only C-rats was two weeks at the Infantry Officer armored training phase at Ft. Benning, GA. C-rations were originally developed just before World War II and have evolved in size and content up through the Vietnam War. You can still buy them in their original box for about $100 each, depending on condition. I don’t recommend eating an old C-rat because of age.
So, if ever you can find old C-rations, they are now a collectors item. And to think I just threw them away.
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Happy New Year, Gen. Satterfield, and I have to say that you got me with this article. Like so many of your articles explaining the idea of leadership as well as senior leadership (and there is a difference) you used incidences from the past to make your point. In this case, it was what our soldiers were focused on – food. And anyone who has been there, in the dirt and the mud, and the heat and cold, they know what deprivation is about and learn to live with it. I don’t think our troops are learning this any more and they even have professional cooks (aka contractors) who cook all the military meals these days. In the past, we had cooks. What’s going on the the soft army of today?
Gee, I only wish I’d been in the army or marines when they had these c-rations, then I would have a tale to tale to my friends and family. Sir, thanks for the “It never tasted so good” .. c-rations. Looking forward to more.
…. and so we all are in your shoes accept for a few, the very few, the brave few. LOL.
Da Man, you are always there with a quick comment and in this case, I’ve got to say that i also like what Tom has to comment about. In this case, an important quote from Gen. Satterfield. “It never tasted so good.” Gotcha!!!!!
Gen. Satterfield, thank you and our service men and women for fulfilling their duty.
I never ate any so I’ll take your word for it, Gen. Satterfield. But I have plenty of friends who,are veterans. I’m sure they will set me straight.
Okay hear me out! Who doesn’t like c-rations? If you hated them, then you didn’t last in the Army or Marines. I know the other serivices are of the liber but if you are part of the fighting force for America, then pow, you love c-rats. And that’s all there is to it. Gen. Satterfield says Green Eggs and Ham are the worst, but nothing could be further from the truth. They’re grreeeeaaaaattttt !!!!!!!!
C-Rations are glorious.
I’m not so sure you’re sane any more, Fred. Are you sure you loved c-rats?
He isn’t little nutty. If you eat too many c-rations, the chemicals mess with your brain.
Bringing back ole memories of having to trade my food for a fag.
Man-o-Man, the old c ration that I had the honor of eating while in the Corps. Nothing like a pound cake (Gen. Satterfield’s favorite too). Just kidding. Most of the meals were monotonous.
Yep, ate my share. Thank you, Gen. Satterfield for bringing this back into my long-forgotten memories. I would never do it again, and I never really loved the military, but those soldiers with me and our many experiences – good and bad – helped make me a better person. I will advise anyone 18 years old to join up for at least 4 years and learn some discipline. That will do you a lot of good. And while they no longer have c-rations, they do feed you better overall. Plus, the pay ain’t bad.
Bless you, Jason. 🙏 I am proud of all of you who have served.
“C-Rations” sounds like a good idea that went wrong in development.
C-Rations ….. I hated eating them but better than the tasteless junk our cooks made in the field.
Army CPT, I’d heard of these c-rations from my dad but he never told me much about them except that were just part of daily life in the Army. Thank you, sir for your service to our nation. And, please have a Happy New Year.
Yeah, Liz, me too. My dad was in the Marines in Vietnam War. I heard many stories and food was a big part of his experience there. His friends, obviously was the central narrative and made up most of the stories- all true – and a few times he mentioned c-rations to me. I guess a Marine or soldier has to develop a taste for the stuff. .
C-Rations
C-Rations
C-Rations
——- that’s all I used to hear from my uncle who was in the Korean War. Of course, there were many stories but he was focused on getting enough to eat. ——-
C-Rations
C-Rations
C-Rations
👍👍👍👍 Thank you, Sally Anne.
Don’t ya just love it when Gen. Satterfield writes about food?
And don’t forget to get a copy of his books.