LRP ration
Encyclopedia
The Food Packet, Long Range Patrol
or "LRP ration" was a U.S. Army
special field ration
. It was developed in 1964 during the Vietnam War
(1959-75) for use by Special Operations troops on long patrols deep in enemy territory, where the bulky canned MCI
ration (formerly known as the C ration) proved too heavy for extended missions while afoot.
, Army planners and commanders had recognized the inadequacy of heavy canned wet rations when employed for infantry marching on long patrols, especially in extreme environments such as mountain or jungle terrain. To this end, the Jungle ration
was developed and briefly issued during the first part of World War II. The Jungle Ration was a dry, lightweight multi-component daily meal that could be stored in light waterproof bags, easily carried by a foot soldier, and which would not spoil when exposed to heat and humidity for an extended period of time. Importantly, the Jungle ration was specifically designed to provide an increased amount of calories despite its lighter weight, ideal for a soldier operating in difficult jungle terrain on foot while carrying all of his equipment on his back. By all accounts the Jungle Ration was successful, however, cost concerns led to its replacement, first by substitution of increasingly heavier and less expensive canned components, followed by complete discontinuance in 1943.
After the war, U.S. army logisticians again re-standardized field rations, eliminating all lightweight rations in favor of heavy canned wet rations such as the C ration and the Meal, Combat, Individual ration
. The overuse of heavy canned wet rations reached a ludicrous extreme during the early years of U.S. involvement in the Vietnam war
, when American soldiers on extended infantry patrol were forced to stack their canned rations in socks to minimize weight and noise.
In response, the Food Packet, Individual, Combat (FPIC), it was developed in the early 1960s, though not issued in the field until 1966. The FPIC was designed to be nutritious, lightweight, and easily portable, the descendant of the dehydrated rations used by NASA's astronauts. The ration was originally a response to complaints about the weight of the canned ration. Carrying a multi-day supply of heavy wet canned MCI or C-rations, "a special operations
team could become virtually immobile due to the weight of needed supplies. Mobility and stealth are decreased when loads become too heavy, and the soldier is too often worn down by midday. Fatigue affects alertness, making him more vulnerable to detection and error." The ration's final 11 oz. (313 g) weight was a compromise between the original packet's target weight of 5 oz. (142 g) and the base 1 lb. (454 g) target weight of the larger experimental Meal, Ready-to-Eat, Individual (MRE-I), a forerunner of the later MRE.
The ration differed from the standard wet-pack Meal, Combat, Individual (MCI) in that it was a freeze-dried, vacuum-packed
individual ration meal weighing 11 oz. (313 g) packed in a waterproof grey-green canvas envelope lined with aluminium foil. Due to its discovered tendency to spoil in a wet or humid environment (i.e., all of South-east Asia), later ration packs came enclosed in an outer zip-lock clear-plastic bag to keep out the moisture. This drawback made it less than desirable as a standard ration.
(MCI) or C ration, the LRP ration came with a plastic spoon and a brown-foil accessory packet containing coffee, cream substitute, sugar, salt, Candy-Coated Gum (2 pieces)
, toilet paper, book of matches, and a pack of 4 commercial-grade cigarettes. However, the LRP daily ration was 'energy depleted': it supplied 1,200 fewer calories (5.0 kJ) per day than the MCI.
Menus consisted of a main entree and a dessert item.
Entrees included: Menu #1: Beef Hash
, Menu #2: Chili con Carne
, Menu #3: Spaghetti
with Meat Sauce, Menu #4: Beef with Rice
, Menu #5: Chicken
Stew, Menu #6: Pork with Scalloped Potatoes,Menu #7: Beef
Stew
, and Menu #8: Chicken with Rice.
The dessert unit included one of the following : a Cereal Bar, a Fruitcake Bar, chocolate discs (2), a packet of individually-wrapped pieces of candy (Brachs caramels or Charms hard candies), or even freeze-dried fruit (pears, peaches, or apricots) in the late-war issue rations.
to reduce monotony and to supply extra calories, as the ration was insufficient for an active soldier. However, this defeated the purpose of deploying the LRP ration in the first place.
The LRP ration continued to be procured in small quantities until the mid-1980s, when it was replaced by a thermo-stabilized ration, the Meal, Ready-to-Eat (MRE). Quartermaster Command and Army Food Services viewed the new ration as a suitable replacement for issue in all combat environments. Despite the long history of operational failures previously encountered in standardizing on a single type of individual ration, the new MRE was duly adopted with the intention of replacing all the field rations and ration supplements in use.
In 1994, a new version of the LRP ration called the LRP-I (Food Packet, Long-Range Patrol - Improved) was created. It was an 11 oz. (313 g) ration that came in a brown plastic retort pouch
that allowed the user to reconstitute and cook the ration directly in the pouch. This was an improvement over the earlier LRP packet, which had to be boiled or soaked in a canteen cup or other cookware.
In 2001, the LRP-I was merged with the Meal, Cold-Weather (MCW) ration to create the consolidated MCW/LRP ration. As in years past, this was done in order to further standardize supply and save costs, as both were considered compact, high-calorie meals that were designed for use by active soldiers in the field. The meals differ only in the accessory packs; one is geared for use by light infantry and commando units while the other is geared more for use in cold weather or high altitudes. The meal weighs 1 pound (500 g) and comes in 12 different entrees.
Long Range Reconnaissance Patrol
Long Range Reconnaissance Patrols, or LRRPs , were special small four to six-man teams in the Vietnam War on highly dangerous special reconnaissance missions deep into enemy territory....
or "LRP ration" was a U.S. Army
United States Army
The United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services...
special field ration
Combat ration
A field ration, or combat ration, is a canned or pre-packaged meal, easily prepared and eaten, transported by military troops on the battlefield...
. It was developed in 1964 during the Vietnam War
Vietnam War
The Vietnam War was a Cold War-era military conflict that occurred in Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia from 1 November 1955 to the fall of Saigon on 30 April 1975. This war followed the First Indochina War and was fought between North Vietnam, supported by its communist allies, and the government of...
(1959-75) for use by Special Operations troops on long patrols deep in enemy territory, where the bulky canned MCI
Meal, Combat, Individual ration
The Meal, Combat, Individual was the name of canned wet combat rations issued by the United States Armed Forces from 1958 to 1980.-Development and Packaging:...
ration (formerly known as the C ration) proved too heavy for extended missions while afoot.
Origins
Before the outbreak of World War IIWorld War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, Army planners and commanders had recognized the inadequacy of heavy canned wet rations when employed for infantry marching on long patrols, especially in extreme environments such as mountain or jungle terrain. To this end, the Jungle ration
Jungle ration
The Jungle Ration was a dry, lightweight United States military ration developed by the U.S. Army in World War II for soldiers on extended missions in tropical regions.-Origins, development, and use:...
was developed and briefly issued during the first part of World War II. The Jungle Ration was a dry, lightweight multi-component daily meal that could be stored in light waterproof bags, easily carried by a foot soldier, and which would not spoil when exposed to heat and humidity for an extended period of time. Importantly, the Jungle ration was specifically designed to provide an increased amount of calories despite its lighter weight, ideal for a soldier operating in difficult jungle terrain on foot while carrying all of his equipment on his back. By all accounts the Jungle Ration was successful, however, cost concerns led to its replacement, first by substitution of increasingly heavier and less expensive canned components, followed by complete discontinuance in 1943.
After the war, U.S. army logisticians again re-standardized field rations, eliminating all lightweight rations in favor of heavy canned wet rations such as the C ration and the Meal, Combat, Individual ration
Meal, Combat, Individual ration
The Meal, Combat, Individual was the name of canned wet combat rations issued by the United States Armed Forces from 1958 to 1980.-Development and Packaging:...
. The overuse of heavy canned wet rations reached a ludicrous extreme during the early years of U.S. involvement in the Vietnam war
Vietnam War
The Vietnam War was a Cold War-era military conflict that occurred in Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia from 1 November 1955 to the fall of Saigon on 30 April 1975. This war followed the First Indochina War and was fought between North Vietnam, supported by its communist allies, and the government of...
, when American soldiers on extended infantry patrol were forced to stack their canned rations in socks to minimize weight and noise.
In response, the Food Packet, Individual, Combat (FPIC), it was developed in the early 1960s, though not issued in the field until 1966. The FPIC was designed to be nutritious, lightweight, and easily portable, the descendant of the dehydrated rations used by NASA's astronauts. The ration was originally a response to complaints about the weight of the canned ration. Carrying a multi-day supply of heavy wet canned MCI or C-rations, "a special operations
Special operations
Special operations are military operations that are considered "special" .Special operations are typically performed independently or in conjunction with conventional military operations. The primary goal is to achieve a political or military objective where a conventional force requirement does...
team could become virtually immobile due to the weight of needed supplies. Mobility and stealth are decreased when loads become too heavy, and the soldier is too often worn down by midday. Fatigue affects alertness, making him more vulnerable to detection and error." The ration's final 11 oz. (313 g) weight was a compromise between the original packet's target weight of 5 oz. (142 g) and the base 1 lb. (454 g) target weight of the larger experimental Meal, Ready-to-Eat, Individual (MRE-I), a forerunner of the later MRE.
The ration differed from the standard wet-pack Meal, Combat, Individual (MCI) in that it was a freeze-dried, vacuum-packed
Vacuum packing
Vacuum packing or vacuum packaging is a method of packaging that removes air from the package prior to sealing. It can involve both rigid and flexible types of packaging...
individual ration meal weighing 11 oz. (313 g) packed in a waterproof grey-green canvas envelope lined with aluminium foil. Due to its discovered tendency to spoil in a wet or humid environment (i.e., all of South-east Asia), later ration packs came enclosed in an outer zip-lock clear-plastic bag to keep out the moisture. This drawback made it less than desirable as a standard ration.
Contents
Like the regular-issue U.S. canned Meal, Combat, Individual rationMeal, Combat, Individual ration
The Meal, Combat, Individual was the name of canned wet combat rations issued by the United States Armed Forces from 1958 to 1980.-Development and Packaging:...
(MCI) or C ration, the LRP ration came with a plastic spoon and a brown-foil accessory packet containing coffee, cream substitute, sugar, salt, Candy-Coated Gum (2 pieces)
Chiclets
Chiclets is a brand of candy coated chewing gum made by Cadbury Adams. The colors of chiclets are: yellow, green, orange, red, white, and pink. The product's name is derived from Nahuatl word tziktli, in English chicle, the substance from which chewing gum was traditionally made...
, toilet paper, book of matches, and a pack of 4 commercial-grade cigarettes. However, the LRP daily ration was 'energy depleted': it supplied 1,200 fewer calories (5.0 kJ) per day than the MCI.
Menus consisted of a main entree and a dessert item.
Entrees included: Menu #1: Beef Hash
Hash (food)
Hash is a dish consisting of meat, potatoes, and spices, that are mashed together into a smooth, creamy consistency, and then cooked either alone or with other ingredients such as onions....
, Menu #2: Chili con Carne
Chili con carne
Chili con carne is a spicy stew. The name of the dish derives from the Spanish chile con carne, "chili pepper with meat". Traditional versions are made, minimally, from chili peppers, garlic, onions, and cumin, along with chopped or ground beef. Beans and tomatoes are frequently included...
, Menu #3: Spaghetti
Spaghetti
Spaghetti is a long, thin, cylindrical pasta of Italian origin. Spaghetti is made of semolina or flour and water. Italian dried spaghetti is made from durum wheat semolina, but outside of Italy it may be made with other kinds of flour...
with Meat Sauce, Menu #4: Beef with Rice
Rice
Rice is the seed of the monocot plants Oryza sativa or Oryza glaberrima . As a cereal grain, it is the most important staple food for a large part of the world's human population, especially in East Asia, Southeast Asia, South Asia, the Middle East, and the West Indies...
, Menu #5: Chicken
Chicken
The chicken is a domesticated fowl, a subspecies of the Red Junglefowl. As one of the most common and widespread domestic animals, and with a population of more than 24 billion in 2003, there are more chickens in the world than any other species of bird...
Stew, Menu #6: Pork with Scalloped Potatoes,Menu #7: Beef
Beef
Beef is the culinary name for meat from bovines, especially domestic cattle. Beef can be harvested from cows, bulls, heifers or steers. It is one of the principal meats used in the cuisine of the Middle East , Australia, Argentina, Brazil, Europe and the United States, and is also important in...
Stew
Stew
A stew is a combination of solid food ingredients that have been cooked in liquid and served in the resultant gravy. Ingredients in a stew can include any combination of vegetables , meat, especially tougher meats suitable for slow-cooking, such as beef. Poultry, sausages, and seafood are also used...
, and Menu #8: Chicken with Rice.
The dessert unit included one of the following : a Cereal Bar, a Fruitcake Bar, chocolate discs (2), a packet of individually-wrapped pieces of candy (Brachs caramels or Charms hard candies), or even freeze-dried fruit (pears, peaches, or apricots) in the late-war issue rations.
Criticisms
As it was a freeze-dried (dehydrated) ration, it required 1.5 pints (700 ml) of water to cook and reconstitute it. This was normally not a problem in environments where water supplies were generally plentiful. However, the water sources in Vietnam were usually teeming with parasites (e.g., blood flukes and tapeworms) and viruses, so fresh water had to usually be transported in or by vehicle when on large-scale operations or collected from rainwater when in the field on patrols. In an emergency, the ration could be consumed 'dry', but the soldier doing so had to consume extra water to prevent dehydration. Soldiers usually mixed its contents with canned C-RationsMeal, Combat, Individual ration
The Meal, Combat, Individual was the name of canned wet combat rations issued by the United States Armed Forces from 1958 to 1980.-Development and Packaging:...
to reduce monotony and to supply extra calories, as the ration was insufficient for an active soldier. However, this defeated the purpose of deploying the LRP ration in the first place.
Food Packet, Long Range Patrol
Due to these drawbacks, the original concept of its wide adoption was shelved in favor of its limited use by Special Operations units like the Long Range Patrols, Special Forces, and Navy SEALs. It then acquired the new designation of Food Packet, Long Range Patrol (LRP), also known as "Lurp meals" or "long rats". Production was limited to 5 million units in 1967, rising to just 9 million in 1968. It was considered a novelty by line soldiers, who usually "acquired" as many as they could before going on field operations.The LRP ration continued to be procured in small quantities until the mid-1980s, when it was replaced by a thermo-stabilized ration, the Meal, Ready-to-Eat (MRE). Quartermaster Command and Army Food Services viewed the new ration as a suitable replacement for issue in all combat environments. Despite the long history of operational failures previously encountered in standardizing on a single type of individual ration, the new MRE was duly adopted with the intention of replacing all the field rations and ration supplements in use.
Revisions
While the MRE was lighter than the canned MCI and had more calories than the LRP ration, it had certain problems. US Special Operations forces found it too bulky and troops on maneuvers found some menu items were unsuited for easy digestion in cold weather / high-altitude or high-temperature / high-humidity environments. While unofficial practice was to strip out items deemed "unnecessary", this also reduced the ration's caloric content. Faced with these problems, this forced the adoption of a specialized ration for light troops or commando units on extended field operations.In 1994, a new version of the LRP ration called the LRP-I (Food Packet, Long-Range Patrol - Improved) was created. It was an 11 oz. (313 g) ration that came in a brown plastic retort pouch
Retort pouch
A retort pouch is a type of food packaging created by aseptic processing, made from multiple layers of flexible laminate, allowing for the sterile packaging of a wide variety of food and drink, ranging from water to fully cooked, thermo-stabilized high-caloric meals such as Meals, Ready-to-Eat ...
that allowed the user to reconstitute and cook the ration directly in the pouch. This was an improvement over the earlier LRP packet, which had to be boiled or soaked in a canteen cup or other cookware.
In 2001, the LRP-I was merged with the Meal, Cold-Weather (MCW) ration to create the consolidated MCW/LRP ration. As in years past, this was done in order to further standardize supply and save costs, as both were considered compact, high-calorie meals that were designed for use by active soldiers in the field. The meals differ only in the accessory packs; one is geared for use by light infantry and commando units while the other is geared more for use in cold weather or high altitudes. The meal weighs 1 pound (500 g) and comes in 12 different entrees.
See also
- C ration
- Meal, Combat, Individual rationMeal, Combat, Individual rationThe Meal, Combat, Individual was the name of canned wet combat rations issued by the United States Armed Forces from 1958 to 1980.-Development and Packaging:...
(MCI) - Meal, Ready-to-Eat (MRE)
- United States military ration