Army Food Is Better Than You Think…
From prehistoric battles to today’s high-tech military conflicts, war has shaped human civilization for thousands of years. But one challenge has never changed: soldiers need food. Long before modern MREs (Meals Ready-to-Eat), armies relied on everything from dried meat and hardtack to canned rations designed to survive the harshest battlefields. Some of those meals were barely edible, while others became surprisingly beloved by the troops who relied on them.
In this episode of Weird History, we’re tracing the fascinating evolution of military rations from the through the ages. What did George Washington’s soldiers eat? How did armies feed millions of soldiers during world wars? And are modern military rations actually tastier than their reputation suggests?
Have you ever tried military food? And if so, was it better or worse than you expected? Let us know in the comments!
(Much like real history, this video was produced entirely by human beings.)
#military #rations #weirdhistoryfood
23 Comments
From 2016 to 2018, and then again from 2024, I’ve been to Fort Jackson for basic training twice, Fort Huachuca for AIT and TDT (the latter of which was changed to deployment midway), Fort Irwin for duty station, and Fort Campbell (where I currently am) for duty station. Most MREs actually taste pretty good. I like them. The DFACs at all four bases were also pretty good, except for the coffee.
Fielder's Choice.
I saw what you did there😊
Canned bread?
Squidward is pleased
I always preferred the vegetarian meals to normal. The meat always tasted off
The first MCI on screen was, by far, the best. Turkey Loaf! Other than that I ate most of my meals at Camp Lejeune in the bowling alley. You see I got stuck on KP and saw how the meals were prepared, and by whom.
6:20 We got PCI's and PCC's and NVG's and NJP's and HVI's and HVT's and POA's and PFC's, and LAR and EOD and QRF's and MSG's, MCO and SOG and POV's and PFC's, and EOF and BFP and OCH and RPG's and EDL and IED and BFA and COC's.
I guess those soldiers who are still fighting in the battle field would loot food supplies from the dead
Nice 👍 I want a Big Mac now.
Certified Gold!!!!!
"Take care of your troops and your troops will take care of you." -my C.O. when I was a cadet P.S. Thank-you service personnel for serving. 🫡🇺🇸🦅
My favorite thing about MRE is when you get the ones with laxative chewing gum (for obvious reasons)
This is stupid propaganda. I deliver Uber Eats to a large army base. They do not get enough food if they can even find an open mess hall. They literally have food money taken from their pay and have to buy outside food to have enough to eat. This is the Trump/Hegseth army. No fatties, remember?
You probably know by now the MREs are starting not to come with coffee
When I was in Basic, the food in the chow hall might not have been Michelin Star, but it was hot and filling. They even had cakes and cookies on offer. (Which our drill sergeants promptly assured us that we were allergic to and should not under any circumstances, partake, along with any soda). MREs were pretty good for the most part. I even keep a case just for emergencies. Again, it might not be gourmet, but it'll give you the calories you need to keep going.
Shoutout to the 92G's and the rest of the logistics chain who did their best to keep us fed and happy during OIF. Y'all are the unsung heroes.
Watching this I am reminded why I enlisted in the US Navy, 3 hots and a cot!
I used to love the cherry-walnut cake in MREs back in 1994ish. 🥄 I'm told they aren't included anymore.
Kinda let down you didn’t mention Shit on a Shingle.
You can still get SOS three meals a day in most mess halls.
Excellent vid. I've watched countless MRE vids on YouTube over the years. And there are plenty of MRE's out there from many countries that I would love to try.
Acronyms
Yeah you need to do a navy episode. They eat great especially the submarine branch where when you spend 30 odd days underwater at a time excellent food is critical to morale and sub culinary techs create great spreads.
Let’s get this out on a tray..
ah the US army good old starters of unjust wars and illegally killings and hostile takeovers globally … yes even they need to eat too 🙃