MRE
Military abbreviation · Military Term
| Stands for | Meal, Ready-to-Eat |
|---|---|
| Categories | Military |
MRE stands for Meal, Ready-to-Eat, a military term abbreviation.
Self-contained field ration used by the US military, packed in a brown pouch with an entree, side dishes, crackers, spread, dessert and drink mix. Each meal provides roughly 1,200 calories and can be heated with an included flameless ration heater.
Example: We ate MREs for nine days straight during the field exercise.
Usage notes
MREs entered service in the early 1980s, replacing canned C-rations, and are designed to last about three years at room temperature. Troops rate menus by favorites such as chili with beans and trade components like jalapeno cheese spread. The flameless heater uses a magnesium reaction activated by water. Soldiers joke that MRE means "Meals Refusing to Exit." MREs are also distributed after natural disasters.
Related abbreviations
More military term abbreviations
- MGRS – Military Grid Reference System
- MIA – Missing in action
- MOLLE – Modular Lightweight Load-carrying Equipment
- MOPP – Mission-oriented protective posture
- MOS – Military occupational specialty
- MP – Military police
- MSR – Main supply route
- MTF – Military treatment facility
- MWR – Morale, Welfare and Recreation
- NBC – Nuclear, biological and chemical
- NCO – Noncommissioned officer
- NCOER – Noncommissioned Officer Evaluation Report