+ Reply to Thread
Page 1 of 3 1 2 3 LastLast
Results 1 to 10 of 26

Thread: Desert Storm era MRE's

Click here to increase the font size Click here to reduce the font size
  1. #1
    Contributing Member Aragorn243's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2009
    Last On
    Yesterday @ 03:56 PM
    Location
    Pennsylvania, United States
    Posts
    6,973
    Real Name
    Steve
    Local Date
    03-28-2024
    Local Time
    04:23 AM

    Desert Storm era MRE's

    Cleaning the basement and found two cases of Desert Storm era MRE's. It wasn't a surprise, I knew they were down there.

    The cases are complete although a bit stained from the dampness of the basement. They have been at a near constant temperature, probably 60-66 degrees year round.

    Any thoughts whether they would be edible or not? Might be collectable just for their age.

    These actually were in Desert Storm, I mailed them home until they stopped us from doing that. Which brings up one basic difference between active duty and reserve troops in combat zones. Active duty wanted no party of the MRE's and we reservists were mailing them home in such large quantities, they created a special regulation to stop us. Didn't stop us, we just took them out of the cases and mailed them home in another box. The reg stated, no mailing of full cases of MRE's. The postmasters were even kind enough to inform us of the stipulation and provide an appropriate box.

    The good old days of good old military rules and rule breakers.

    My wife said the mailman here was wondering what the heck was in all the boxes.

    The loose ones I ate during hunting seasons long ago.
    Information
    Warning: This is a relatively older thread
    This discussion is older than 360 days. Some information contained in it may no longer be current.

  2. # ADS
    Friends and Sponsors
    Join Date
    October 2006
    Location
    Milsurps.Com
    Posts
    All Threads
    A Collector's View - The SMLE Short Magazine Lee Enfield 1903-1989. It is 300 8.5x11 inch pages with 1,000+ photo’s, most in color, and each book is serial-numbered.  Covering the SMLE from 1903 to the end of production in India in 1989 it looks at how each model differs and manufacturer differences from a collecting point of view along with the major accessories that could be attached to the rifle. For the record this is not a moneymaker, I hope just to break even, eventually, at $80/book plus shipping.  In the USA shipping is $5.00 for media mail.  I will accept PayPal, Zelle, MO and good old checks (and cash if you want to stop by for a tour!).  CLICK BANNER to send me a PM for International pricing and shipping. Manufacturer of various vintage rifle scopes for the 1903 such as our M73G4 (reproduction of the Weaver 330C) and Malcolm 8X Gen II (Unertl reproduction). Several of our scopes are used in the CMP Vintage Sniper competition on top of 1903 rifles. Brian Dick ... BDL Ltd. - Specializing in British and Commonwealth weapons Specializing in premium ammunition and reloading components. Your source for the finest in High Power Competition Gear. Here at T-bones Shipwrighting we specialise in vintage service rifle: re-barrelling, bedding, repairs, modifications and accurizing. We also provide importation services for firearms, parts and weapons, for both private or commercial businesses.
     

  3. #2
    Contributing Member usabaker's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2017
    Last On
    Yesterday @ 10:33 PM
    Location
    San Deigo, CA
    Posts
    1,732
    Real Name
    Bill Baker
    Local Date
    03-28-2024
    Local Time
    01:23 AM
    Quote Originally Posted by Aragorn243 View Post
    Any thoughts whether they would be edible or not? Might be collectable just for their age.
    10 years is the rule of thumb BUT! There should be a red indicator tag on the box that works off environmental.



    This is what it looks like on one of my boxes

    Attachment 115659

    Remember though the expiration date takes into account the most perishable item; most of the contents of the meal are much longer. I suspect that yours, at the 60-66 degrees are still good and yummy <-- ha yummy.
    Veteran US Navy Seabees - US Army Corps of Engineers - American Legion Post 0867
    " Only two defining forces have offered to die for me. 1.) Jesus Christ 2.) The American G.I. "One died for your soul, the other for your freedom! "

  4. Avoid Ads - Become a Contributing Member - Click HERE
  5. #3
    Contributing Member usabaker's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2017
    Last On
    Yesterday @ 10:33 PM
    Location
    San Deigo, CA
    Posts
    1,732
    Real Name
    Bill Baker
    Local Date
    03-28-2024
    Local Time
    01:23 AM
    "There are two parts to the TTI – an outer dark circle and an inner light circle. As long as the inner circle is still lighter than the outside circle, the MREs are supposed to be good"

    https://www.mreinfo.com/mres/mre-shelf-life/
    Veteran US Navy Seabees - US Army Corps of Engineers - American Legion Post 0867
    " Only two defining forces have offered to die for me. 1.) Jesus Christ 2.) The American G.I. "One died for your soul, the other for your freedom! "

  6. #4
    Legacy Member 82Trooper's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2018
    Last On
    Yesterday @ 06:38 PM
    Location
    Monroeville, Pennsylvania USA
    Posts
    194
    Real Name
    Mike Rakow
    Local Date
    03-28-2024
    Local Time
    04:23 AM
    Please post here before you eat them...and if we do not hear back in a few days we will know they were not safe!

    Mike
    "Audacia....By daring deed"

  7. Thank You to 82Trooper For This Useful Post:


  8. #5
    Legacy Member Gravelface's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2021
    Last On
    03-23-2021 @ 08:33 AM
    Location
    Ponchatoula
    Posts
    6
    Real Name
    Jason Anderson
    Local Date
    03-28-2024
    Local Time
    02:23 AM
    My father has Desert Storm era MREs (early 90s) The dark brown plastic bag. We’ve eaten main meals. (Skip the clam chowder) and the applesauce. The bread / crackers taste a bit metallic but no ill effects. Sniff test goes a long way.

  9. #6
    Contributing Member rcathey's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2012
    Last On
    Yesterday @ 11:56 AM
    Location
    St. Louis, MO Area
    Posts
    1,645
    Local Date
    03-28-2024
    Local Time
    03:23 AM
    10 years is nothing.

    You guys would enjoy Steve’s videos!
    Steve1989MREInfo - YouTube

  10. The Following 2 Members Say Thank You to rcathey For This Useful Post:


  11. #7
    Advisory Panel browningautorifle's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2008
    Last On
    Yesterday @ 10:05 PM
    Location
    Victoria BC
    Posts
    29,836
    Real Name
    Jim
    Local Date
    03-28-2024
    Local Time
    01:23 AM
    I've got LWP patrol rations from the early '80s. Mind, they're dehydrated so they should be fine. I'm not sure I'd be eating any others from that era.
    Regards, Jim

  12. #8
    Contributing Member Aragorn243's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2009
    Last On
    Yesterday @ 03:56 PM
    Location
    Pennsylvania, United States
    Posts
    6,973
    Real Name
    Steve
    Local Date
    03-28-2024
    Local Time
    04:23 AM
    Thread Starter
    I went down and checked and now have a greater mystery. One box appears to be dated 93 the other 01 which makes no sense. I don't recall getting any after Desert Storm and that would be 91. In any case, the 93 doesn't have the pink square, the other one does but no idea what it means.

    Watching him eat a 33 year old MRE which mine are approaching. Says it's fine. I have my doubts.
    Last edited by Aragorn243; 03-08-2021 at 11:18 PM.

  13. #9
    Advisory Panel browningautorifle's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2008
    Last On
    Yesterday @ 10:05 PM
    Location
    Victoria BC
    Posts
    29,836
    Real Name
    Jim
    Local Date
    03-28-2024
    Local Time
    01:23 AM
    Quote Originally Posted by Aragorn243 View Post
    I have my doubts.
    All done for views. Then he goes and honks it all up so he doesn't die.
    Regards, Jim

  14. #10
    Contributing Member rcathey's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2012
    Last On
    Yesterday @ 11:56 AM
    Location
    St. Louis, MO Area
    Posts
    1,645
    Local Date
    03-28-2024
    Local Time
    03:23 AM
    Quote Originally Posted by browningautorifleicon View Post
    All done for views. Then he goes and honks it all up so he doesn't die.
    He’s an *interesting* guy. Wouldn’t be surprised if that’s the case.
    Still neat to see these items from a historical perspective.
    I find the survival type rations really cool.

  15. The Following 2 Members Say Thank You to rcathey For This Useful Post:


+ Reply to Thread
Page 1 of 3 1 2 3 LastLast

Similar Threads

  1. Iraqi M80 Helmet Desert Storm Bringback
    By Aragorn243 in forum Vintage Military Gear
    Replies: 10
    Last Post: 10-10-2020, 02:53 AM
  2. Replies: 2
    Last Post: 03-21-2019, 08:05 PM
  3. Desert Storm shotgun w/ M1917 bayonet
    By BEAR in forum Military Shotguns
    Replies: 12
    Last Post: 02-15-2018, 04:36 PM
  4. Desert in winter
    By MJ1 in forum The Watering Hole OT (Off Topic) Forum
    Replies: 27
    Last Post: 03-15-2012, 01:16 PM
  5. East Coast Snow Storm
    By frankderrico in forum The Watering Hole OT (Off Topic) Forum
    Replies: 28
    Last Post: 02-13-2010, 06:07 PM

Tags for this Thread

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
Raven Rocks