New Generation Survival Ration: A Brief Report (1991)

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The purpose of this publication is to provide the essential facts pertaining to operational rations, food packets, and ration supplements used by the Armed Forces. Current design data and operational use concepts are also included. In the interest of clarity and mutual understanding, the terms describing various assemblies of food components are defined as follows: A ration is the allowance of food for one person for one day as prescribed by military regulations. Rations are designed for group and/or individual feeding and must he nutritionally adequate. | A meal is a nutritionally balanced food unit consisting of approximately one-third of the prescribed daily requirement of a ration. Meals designed for use in the operational ration system are engineered to allow interchange with other operational meals while insuring nutritional adequacy. A combination of any three meals would constitute a ration as defined by Army regulations. A food packet is a short-term source of nourishment for use in special operational situations. It consists of prepared foods, specially selected for maximum nutritional value, palatability, and stability commensurate with the requirements for minimum weight/cubage and other utility factors. One or more food packets do not necessarily constitute a nutritionally complete ration. A ration supplement is a collection of food, beverage, condiment, or comfort items intended to add to the minimum essentials of a specific operational food item in terms of nutrition, palatability, and enhancement of morale. To place these rations, meals, food packets, and ration supplements in proper perspective with relation to their intended use and to provide current data on the composition and status of each item, information is provided on (1) what items are currently available in the system, (2) where they are intended to be used, and (3) what items can be expected to be available in the future. This can best be presented by covering five broad categories: (1) General Operational Rations; (2) Special Operational Subsistence; (3) Survival Subsistence; (4) Future Feeding Concepts; (5) Historical Summary. General Operational Rations. The need for an operational! ration to subsist persons operating away from fixed feeding facilities and where supply lines are contested was recognized as early as pre-Revolutionary War days when our military action consisted principally of a guerrilla type of warfare on both land and sea. As will be evident, most operational rations and ration components have been designed to fulfill a general feeding requirement.

SURVIVAL SUBSISTENCE FOOD PACKET, GENERAL PURPOSE =-- AT The Food Packet, Survival, General Purpose is suitable for use in any survival situation under all environmental conditions, including those where potable water is limited. Four food bars of uniform nutrient content comprise the major constitutents of each food packet. The protein content of these bars is rigidly controlled so that the food packet conserves body water yet assures maximum value from protein at any level of consumption. This unique nutritional design allows the adjustment of issue and consumption to anticipated needs. It was adopted by all branches of the Armed Forces as a standard survival ration. This food packet is the only survival packet designed to support at least limited operational capability for survivors. [t replaced other survival food packets in the system (Survival Tropics and Survival Arctic) except for those designed for both specific space constraints and water limitation (i.e., Abandon Ship and Life Raft Aircraft). The food packet is packaged in a 12-ounce rectangular can (key-opening type) and consists of the following: Food bars, survival-type (four of five types randomly selected) Fruitcake Rice-Cornflakes Chocolate Fudge Cereal-Granola mixture Cornflakes Coffee, Instant Sugar Soup and gravy base, chicken flavored Directions Can opener, key-type (taped to container) 24

Packets/case 24 Weight/case 20 pounds Weight/packet 12 ounces Cube/case 0.43 cubic feet Cube/packet 26.7 cubic inches Specification MIL-F-43231 NSN 8970-00-082-5665 | wees FOOD PACKET, SURVIVAL, | ~ GENERAL PURPOSE : os saab “se ts +e 40 ; Pi wee 9s An hte Lae} . ened - ie + ic ol 4 SMe Oe w JA e- 2" ata i" eu»

FOOD PACKET, SURVIVAL, ABANDON SHIP The purpose of the Food Packet Survival, Abondon Ship is to sustain life until rescue or until other food is available. It is supplied to lifesaving craft aboard ships for survivors who have abandoned ship. Experience with ocean disasters has shown other supplies, such as lifesaving equipment and drinking water, to be more critical to survival than food. As currently specified, the Food Packet, Survival, Abandon Ship consists of two starch jelly bars, four mint tablets, chewing gum, and matches and is packaged in a sealed waterproof bag. Fifteen food packets and a cigarette packet are packaged in a carton; eight cartons are packed into a shipping case. Each packet provides approximately 475 calories. It is issued on the basis of one packet per man per day. The components have maximum stability for storage in on-deck craft under all climatic conditions. In fact, since the Navy has indicated that this food must be stable at 140°F (60°C) for one month, even the starch jelly bar component must be specially formulated. Canned water in limited quantities or water-making equipment is provided on the livesaving craft. Food packets/carton 15 Cartons/case 8 Weight/case 48 pounds Weight/carton 5.75 pounds Weight/food packet 5.2 ounces Cube/case 1.36 cubic feet Cube/carton 0.16 cubic feet Calories/food packet 475 approximately Specification MIL-F-16895 NSN 8970-00-299-1395 FOOD PACKET Senvivay Asannon Sarp 26

FOOD PACKET, ) SURVIVAL, a AIRCRAFT, LIFE RAFT__—_=—— Used in survival kits and in life rafts of naval aircraft, the Food Packet, Survival, Aircraft, Life Raft is intended for short term use while awaiting rescue or air-drop of supplies. User requirements are stringent. The packet must (1) withstand extreme temperature changes, (2) be of minimum cube and weight, and (3) consist of food which will be beneficial even when water supply is critically limited. The kinds of food suitable for use in this packet are therefore severely restricted. As revised to assure maximum stability when exposed to temperatures up to 71°C (160°F), the food packet contains two bars of fruit tablets (ten in each box) and two peckets of gum. The fruit tablets are individually wrapped pieces and are provided in a variety of fruit flavors and colors to enhance acceptability. Approximately 300 calories are furnished in this all-carbohydrate food packet. The ration is packaged in a small flat, aluminum, easy-opening can, or in a heat-sealed laminated bag. When the aluminum can is used, a waterproof bag is provided for storing leftover tablets. An instruction sheet and a piece of twine are also included in each packet. Packets/case 36 Weight/case 8 pounds (gross) Weight/packet 2.8 ounces Cube/case 0.24 cubic feet Cube/packet 12 cubic inches Calories/packet 300 approximately Specification MIL-F-15381 NSN 8970-01 -028-9406 FOOD PACKET, SURVIVAL, AIRCRAFT, LIFERAFT 27

APPENDIX IIf. Survival, emergency and individual combat rations - nutritional values and packaging. NATO Standardization Agreement 11 May 1987

STANAG No. 2937 (Edizion 2 ) NORTH ATLANTIC TREATY ORGANIZATION (NATO) Ay YY MILITARY AGENCY FOR STANDARDIZATION (MAS) STANDARDIZATION AGREEMENT (STANAG) SUBJECT: SURVIVAL, EMERGENCY AND INDIVIDUAL COMBAT RATIONS - NUTRITIONAL VALUES AND PACKAGING Wee: on 11 May 1987 M. KORS ‘LIS Major General, HEAR Chairman, MAS NATO UNCLASSIFIED

wumter mtemWwMtetrwy I MNEOMILY YRGDANIZATIIUON ORGANISATION OU TRAITE DOE L‘ATLANTIQUE NORD MILITARY AGENCY FOR STANDARDIZATION (MAS) BUREAU MILITAIRE DE STANDARDISATION (BMS) 1110 BRUSSELS TEL: 241.00.40 - 2411.44.00 - 2461.44.90 Ext/ Poste ARMY BOARD Ext. 3683 MAS ( ARMY) 099-L0G/ 2937 11 May 1987 To : See distribution overleaf Sub ject : STANAG 2937 LOG (EDITION 2) - SURVIVAL, EMERGENCY anD INDIVIDUAL COMBAT RATIONS - NUTRITIONAL VALUES AND PACKAGING References : a. MAS(ARMY)489-L0G/2937 of 28 July 1986 (Edition 2) (1st Draft) b. MAS(ARMY)536-L0G/2937 of 5 December 1985 (Edition 1) Enclosure : STANAG 2937 (Edition 2) 1. The enclosed NATO Standardization Agreement which has been ratified by nations as reflected in page iii is promulgated herewith. 2. The references listed above are to be destroyed in accordance with loca: document destruction procedures. 3. AAP-4 should be amended to reflect the latest status of the STANAG. ACTION BY NATIONAL STAFFS 4, National staffs are requested to examine page iii of the STANAG and, if they have not already cone so, advise the Army Board, MAS, through their national delegation as appropriate cf their intention regarding its ratification and implecentation. X M. KORKOLIS Major-General, HEAR Chairman, MAS -~1l— MAS/E12(A) NATO UNCLASSIFIED

DISTRIBUTION/DIFFUSION Action Pour attribution For Information Pour informacion DIST.1/135 jg NATO UNCLASSIFIED All MODs(through members of the Army Board, MAS). Tous les MDN (par l'intermédiaire des membres du Bureau Terre du BMS ) _ SACEUR, SACLANT, CINCHAN, SECGENNATO (DSDiv), AFNORTH, AFCENT, AFSOUTH, CINCUKAIR, ‘COMAMF(L), COMBALTAP, COMAIRBALTAP, COMNAVBALTAP, COMNON, COMSONOR, COMAAFCE, COMNORTHAG, COMCENTAG, COMTWOATAF, COMLANDSOUTH, COMLANDSOUTHEAST, COMNAVSOUTH, COMAIRSOUTH, COMSTRIKFORSOUTH, COMFOURATAF, COMFIVEATAF, COMSIXATAF, NAEW Force Command, FINABEL OTAN SANS CLASSIFICATION

(Edition 2) NAVY/ ARMY /AIR NATO STANDARDIZATION AGREEMENT STANAG SURVIVAL, EMERGENCY AND INDIVIDUAL COMBAT RATIONS -. NUTRITIONAL VALUES AND PACKAGING Related documents: STANAG 2034 LOG - Land Forces Procedures for Allied Supply Transactions STANAG 2135 LOG - Procedures tor Emergency Logistic Assistance STANAG 3113 ACS - Provision of Support to Visiting Personnel, Aircraft and Vehicles IM l. The aim of this agreement is to standardize nutritional values and certain elements of the contents of combat rations (survival, emergency and individual combat rations) so as to facilitate the interchangeability of rations between nations. AGREEMENT Z. Participating nations agree the tollowing pravisions with respect to the composition, contents and nutritional values of combat rations in the production of such rations in their own area. DEFINITIONS 3. the rollowing terms and definitions are used for the purpose of this agreemenc: a. Survival Ration. Rations designed for a situation where the main concern is Co stay alive with a minimal expenditure of energy and drinking water is limited. do. Emergency Ration. The suosistence calculated to sustain the coer: tionai capability of military personnel for a brief period of tice (at least 24 hours) in the event chat the regular food supply is disrupted. Water is assumed to be freely available. CETAILS OF THE AGREEMENT 4. Survival ration a. The survival ration should be as small as possible in volume and consist of at least 100 grams carbohydrate (glucose or glucose-forzing poly-, oligo-, disaccharides) per man per day for periods of up t: “ six days. -l- 2937-12/291 NATO UNCLASSIFIED

Drinking water supply must be at leasc 500 ml per c.:r 2er day in cool environments. The water requirement for survivai Will increase to at least 2000 ml per man per day in hot environments. Addition of protein or fat to survival rations is not recommended. Water treatment tablets or individual water purification sets should be available but need not be included with the survival ration. The survival ration should have a shelf life of at least 4 years at ambient temperatures. Technical terms, specifications and conditions of food-stuff quality requirements as well as procedures for quality assurance should be taken into account, eg. technical delivery conditions. 5. Emergency ration The emergency ration should be as small as possible in volume and should consist of concentrated foods with an energy value of at least 4.2 MJ (1,000 kcal), to be provided in approximate proportions of 40-70% by carbohydrates, 20-402 by fats and 10-20% by proteins. The ration should be suitable for consumption without cooking, heating or the addition of water. The inclusion of instant beverage powders, e.g. tea or coffee, is desirable. Water treatment tablets or individual water purification sets should be available but need not be included with the emergency ration. The emergency ration must have a shelf life of at least 2 years at ambient cCemperatures. Technical terms, specifications and conditions of food stuff quality requirements as well as procedures for quality assurance should be taken into account, e.g. technical delivery conditions. 6. Individual Combat Ration a. 2937-ZE The individual combat ration must ensure the complete and wholesome subsistence of a soldier for one day, but would not be expected to be used for more than 30 consecutive days. The individual combat ration should have a minimum of 13.4 MJ (3,200 kcal) and a maxiaum commensurate with the rate of energy expenditure for secvice personnel undergoing continuous and strenuous physical activity. The protein content of the individual combat ration should provide at least 10% of the available energy; i.e. 80 g of protein for a ration pack of 13.4 MJ (3,200 keal). At least 502 of the protein should be derived trom animal, not vegetable sources; i.e. of high biological value. NATO UNCLASSIFIED

~l e Fats should account for approximacely 35% but must not exceed 402 of the total energy value. The contents of vitamins and minerals should be in reasonable accordance with the current recommendations of the US Food and Nutrition Board. If fortification is required, the nutrients should be added to those items likely to be consumed by most personnel. The individual combat ration should contain ready-to-eat dishes which can be consumed without the addition of water, preparation or mixing and, if necessary, also without heating. The standard contents of an individual combat ration should, in addition, include: a bread equivalent and a suitable topping or spread (e.g. jam, sausage, cheese) and instant beverage powder (e.g. coffee, tea, fruit beverage). Where a can opener is required to open containers, such opener must be included with che individual combat ration. Water Creatment tablets or individual water purification sets should be available but need not be included with the individual combat ration. The individual combat ration must have a shelf life of at least 2 years at ambient temperatures. Technical terus, specifications and conditions of food-stuff quality requirements as well as procedures for quality assurance should be taken into account, e.g. technical delivery conditions. Packing and Ancillary Items (a ! te The rations must contain or be accompanied by all the ancillary items required to prepare them for consumption (e.g. a can opener). The packing must bear inscriptions including: (1) An indication of the type of ration in the national language and both official NATO languages. (2) The age or date of expiry of the ration. (3) The legend “NATO Approved". The table of contents and explanatory notes concerning the purpose and consumption of the ration shall be printed in the national language and in the two official NATO languages. The packing of the survival ration must be sturdy and waterproof. The packing of the constituent parts for one day must be waterproof. -3- NATO UNCLASSIFIED

e. The packing of the emergency ration must be sturdy and-waterproof. f. The packing of the individual combat ration must be sturdy and dustproof, the packing of the constituent parts must be waterproof. RESTRICTIONS 8. a. This agreement does not obligate any NATO nation to depart from national consumption habits and tastes. b. Existing supply concepts for the supply of the armed forces with subsistence shall not affected by this agreement. IMPLEMENTATION OF THE AGREEMENT 9. This STANAG is implemented when the necessary orders/instructions putting the procedures detailed in the agreement into effect have been issued to the forces concerned. 2937-GE NATO UNCLASSIFIED

STANAG 292 (Edition < RATIFICATION AND IMPLEMENTATION DETAILS STADE DE RATIFICATION ET DE MISE EN APPLICATION IMPLEMENTATION/MISE EN APPLICATION |---.|----------- | us | wd | NATIONAL an | A (| NATIONAL RATIFICATION | ep oCURear | FORECAST DATE 11 ACTUAL DATE | T | REFERENCE DE | WATTONAL DE | DATE PREVUE |! DATE REELLE | I | LA RATIFICATION NATIONALE | MISE EN | : ” ee lo | NAVY | ARMY NAVY | ARMY in| j APPLICATION iuee jrerre! “2® jimer iterre! “2% { ~|------ - ( { | ----- | lle | ----- | ----- | BE | [ l l { il { [ | { ( l [ | il [ [ |---=i- \- -| \. ! iI le---- — i CA | 2441-2937(DLog Ops 4-2-2) | Technical Data { 11 { { | of /du 4.9.86 | Summary Sheets i 1| 9.86 | i =| [ - l { i= 1 joooee poorene | 1 DA | Not ratifying/ [ [ [ | II { | | | | Ne ratifie pas [ { | | ii | [ | | ----| -- oonne|- { =| {- | lennon | enone | eonn- , | FR | [ [ { | {| | { | { | { { lt | [ i | eonn jone l- { | - | | -onne | ----- | ----- ; | GE*| BnVg FU S IV 1 Az 03-51-35 | | DOP | DOP | DOP {| i ' | of/du 6.1.87 | + 13 mopths {| | bong | E5697 7189750588670 11067 | - | Ine-oe [nereed lonnn=t |mnon } : GR | HAGS/DPPD of/du 3.12.86 | STANAG | (12-87 " | | ! | ---= |------------------ [-- | ----- | ----- | -----| |-----| -----|-----: | IT | SME-Reg.680/102.7121 | | | | I 11.58 11.87 - | | cf/du 2.3.87 { | | | UI | | : | == | one - coene~ j- ome { | |- | |-onne | ----- | eee. { LU | | i | | 11 | ( | { { { | I | l | ee | eee enee- | ----- oo | ----- | |----- | ween e | ----- | NL i SAS: 09309/77.410/NU | | | | L | | i ! of /du 9.1.87 | | 8.88] 8.881 8.88 || | { | ---- j --------------------------- ean aw nnn | —---- | ----- |----- | |----- |----- |-----' { NO | | { | { (| { { | i | | | lI | | ; | pe | enn ee nn nn on mn mn enn nen ee nne { - --|- | ----- | -~-- - | | ----- | -n--- | ----- { PO | OD PORTUGAL RRN 012/87/DD | | | (1 | | | | of/du 28.1.87 | | | | |1DOP {DOP | DOP | Ty*; TGS, G.N.P.P.:2307-799-86/ | | | | | | ; AND.D.MAS.S. (2937) 3439 | | | l wo-- | -Sf20u_17. 10.88 ----|- -|----- |----- |ennn-| J----- |---| === : #) D/OQMG/17/20 OMGS RN: ASTS/Q/24 ) " | of/du 6.2.87 | ASFS/0/28 | por | DOP DOP : | _ASFS/0/1 + 12 : months | | See reservations on page iv/Voir reserves a la page iv See comments page v/Voir commentaires page v 141i OTAN SANS CLASSIFICATION

The menu details on table of contents will not appear on the outside of the packaging. However, bulk packaging of meal packs shall indicate which meal, each meal pack its principal item and each item its contents. Survival/emergency packs include preparation instructions. GE will probably not introduce the "Survival Ration" (para.l and 3.a. ) before 1989. GR does not use Che Survival Ration since the requirement for it is met by the Emergency Ration. IT Air Force emergency ration will have an energy value of at least 5.5MJ (1500 kcal) to be provided in approximate proportions of 60-70% carbohydrates, 20-25% fats and 10-20% proteins in high percentage derived from animal sources. TU will not implemenc STANAG 2937. The provision para.4.b. for hot environmencs in the sea survival pack is under examination. RESERVES La liste detaillees des mets dont se compose le repas ne figurera pas sur l‘emballage exterieur. On indiquera coutefois le type de repas sur les emballages en vrac des paquets de repas, le met principal sur chaque paquet de repas et les ingredients sur l‘emballage de chaque met. Les paquets de survie/d'‘urgence conciennent une notice d'euploi. Il est peu probable que l'Allemagne adopte une “ration de survie" (paragraphes 1 et 3.a.) avane 1989. La Grece n'a pas de ration de survie, étant donné que ce besoin se trouve satisfait avec la ration d'urgence. Les rations d‘urgence des forces aeriennes italiennes auront une valeur energetique d'au moins 5,5MJ (1500 kcal) fournies dans des proportions approximatives de 60-70% d'hydrates de carbone, de 20-25% de lipides et de 10-20% de proteines dans une proportion élevée d'origine animale. La Turquie ne mettra pas le STANAG 2937 en application. La disposition prevue au paragraphe 4.b. en ce qui concerne les rations de survie en mer par temps chaud est a l'étude. - jv - 2937-R/291 jg OTAN SANS CLASSIFICATION

APPENDIX Iig. Survival, emergency, and individual combat rations - nutritional values and packaging. American, British, Canadian and Australian Armies Standardization Program, Quadripartite Standardization Agreement 878, Edition 1 7 September 1989

CUADRIPARTITE S: AMDARDIZATION AGRE=MENT 878 ESt7iGN 4 2S] ANADIAN a a Weed 58 ISTRALIAN ARMIES STANDARDIZATION PROGRAM SURVIVAL, EMERGENCY AND INDIVIDUAL COMEAT RATICNS- NUTRITIONAL VALUES AND PACKAGING