|
The
Irish Army Ration pack provides the average soldier with enough nutrition
to last him for 24 hours. As most of the food is in dehydrated form
the ration pack requires a large amount of water (c. 5 litres) for the
body to properly digest it and get the most energy from it. The ration
pack is designed to be heated using the standard mess tin with a hexamine
cooker.
Most
supplementary items of the ration pack are sugar filled which help the
soldier to perform his duties even when suffering from fatigue.
Main
Meals
There
are two main meals in the ration packs: Breakfast and Dinner. The rest
of the food is designed to be eaten throughout the day. All food is
pre-cooked and can be eaten cold.
Breakfast,
consists of bacon and beans / sausage and beans, and comes in a boil
in the bag.
Dinner
comes in either a flat tin or a plastic dish (similar to microwavable
type dishes) and is designed to be boiled in a mess tin. The flat tins
may also be placed directly onto a flame to heat them. A packet of noodles
is also supplied. Five meals are available: Irish Stew (A), Beef Casserole(B),
Chicken Curry (C), Sweet and Sour Pork (D), Vegetarian (E).
The
current ration packs also contain a desert. This also comes in a boil
in the bag. Examples are Chocolate Pudding, Syrup Pudding, Fruit Dumplings,
Christmas Pudding.
Supplementary Food
Items
- Powdered Isotonic
drink - similar to lucozade
- Powdered Soup
mix
- Hot chocolate
- Maximuscle Promax
Meal bar. - A high protein bar.Glucose Sweets
- Kendal mint cake
- very high in sugar.
- Tea bags
- Coffee
- Salt & pepper
- Sugar
- Creamer
- Biscuits Brown
(in green plastic)
- Oatmeal Block
(in green plastic)
- Biscuits Fruit
(in pink plastic)
Other items included
are:
- Tissues - personal
hygiene & cleaning
- Scouring pad
- for cleaning mess tins
- Water purification
tablets - one per litre
- Storm matches
(will light in windy conditions)
- Foot Powder
- Non-alcoholic
cleaning wipes
- personal hygiene
All
the items which could be damages/soiled by water come in a separate
zip lock bag. In addition to what's provided in the issued ration pack
most soldiers supplement their diet with their own items such as tinned
fish, chocolate, nuts, tinned fruit etc...
|
