ComRAD

---

The Combat Rations Database (COMRAD) is an educational website designed for visitors to view accurate, up-to-date nutritional information on individual combat ration menus as well as the individual food components packed inside them. COMRAD enables warriors, military dietitians, food service officers, and leaders to learn about the nutritional content of their combat rations and use this information to help with fueling for optimal performance. COMRAD is a collaborative effort between the Human Performance Resources by CHAMP (HPRC) at the Uniformed Services University (USU), U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command (DEVCOM) Soldier Center, and United States Army Research Institute of Environmental Medicine (USARIEM).

COMRAD provides warriors with up-to-date nutrition information on combat rations. The nutrition information displayed on COMRAD is a result of actual chemical analysis of rations components to determine their nutritional content. Other available sources of nutritional information include the Nutrition Facts information printed on all ration components. However, the Nutrition Facts labels aren’t always accurate. According to the Nutrition Education and Labeling Act, the nutrition information provided on the manufacturers' Nutrition Facts label is required to be within +/– 20% of the actual value.

MRE, or Meal, Ready-to-Eat, refers to the primary pre-packaged, portable, individual operational ration used by the U.S. Armed Forces. The latest technology and extensive research have gone into preparing today's MRE. Each MRE meal bag is a complete single meal that includes an entree, side, bakery items, condiments, and beverage mix. Four of the 24 menu varieties available are vegetarian. A flameless ration heater included in the MRE meal bag allows for a hot meal on the go. Ongoing research continues to produce ever-more-appetizing menu items that provide the best nutrition possible to optimize warrior performance.
For more information on this ration, please see the Leader's Guide to Operational Rations.

First Strike Ration® (FSR) is a compact, nutritionally optimized ration intended for use during high-intensity, highly mobile combat operations. It is designed to be consumed on-the-go and contains an entire day's nutrition in a single-menu package. Technology at work again: FSR's weight and volume are 50% less compared to MRE, to reduce the load of warriors during short-term, high-intensity operations. FSR is being replaced by the Close Combat Assault Ration (CCAR); units may still have cases, which can be consumed until 2027.
For more information on this ration, please see the Leader's Guide to Operational Rations.

The Close Combat Assault Ration (CCAR) is a compact, eat-on-the-move, restricted ration intended to replace the First Strike Ration. The CCAR will support Warfighters during semi-independent and dispersed operations up to 5 days without resupply. CCARs provide a 17% weight and 39% volume reduction compared to the First Strike Ration. The CCAR decreases individual Warfighter combat load/pallet position on air/ground support.
For more information on this ration, please see the Leader's Guide to Operational Rations.

MCW stands for Meal, Cold Weather. As the name suggests, this ration is designed for extreme cold-weather operations. This ration includes a freeze-dried entree, spread, crackers, snack items, powdered beverages, spoon, and accessory packet suitable for extreme-cold environments. The high-calorie content of each menu satisfies the high nutritional demands of extreme environmental conditions.
For more information on this ration, please see the Leader's Guide to Operational Rations.

Unitized Group Ration-A (UGR-A) is the primary commercial group operational ration used by the U.S. Armed Forces. UGR-A is unique in that it’s the only operational ration that contains perishable frozen components, providing higher quality and acceptance. Each UGR-A module provides a nutritionally complete meal that includes an entree, side, vegetable, bakery items, snacks, condiments, and beverages for 50 individuals. There are 7 breakfast and 14 lunch/dinner menus available. Some lunch/dinner menus contain two entrees so warriors have a choice. Milk comes separate but is mandatory. Ongoing market research continues to develop menu items that provide the best nutrition possible to optimize warrior performance.
For more information on this ration, please see the Leader's Guide to Operational Rations.

Unitized Group Ration Heat & Serve (UGR-H&S) is a shelf-stable group operational ration used by the Army and Marines Corps. UGR-H&S does not require refrigeration, but it does need a field feeding kitchen to prepare the meals. Each UGR-H&S module provides nutritionally complete meals that include an entree, side, vegetable, bakery items, snacks, condiments, and beverages for 50 individuals. There are 3 breakfast and 10 lunch/dinner menus available. Some lunch/dinner menus contain 2 entrees so warriors have a choice. Milk comes separate but is mandatory.
For more information on this ration, please see the Leader's Guide to Operational Rations.

The Modular Operational Ration Enhancement (MORE) is designed to augment daily operational rations with additional nutrients tailored to high altitude/cold weather and hot weather operational and training environments. Type I (high altitude/cold weather) is designed to provide optimal nutrition during operations and training exercises in conditions below 40°F (4°C). Type II (hot weather) is designed to provide optimal nutrition during operations and training exercises in conditions above 70°F (21°C). Either type can be used between 40°–70° F (4–21° C).
For more information on this ration, please see the Leader's Guide to Operational Rations.

Each calendar year the nutritional content of individual MRE meals might change due to the addition or removal of particular items to improve the appeal and variety of the meals. Each MRE case container and main entrée package includes the date of pack, which identifies the MRE year of production. The date-of-pack information is printed on the major flaps of the MRE case container closure, immediately to the right of the marked end. On a main entrée package located in an individual meal, the date-of-pack information is printed on the exterior of the pouch. The printing of the date of pack is represented by a “Julian code” with either a four-digit code or a five-digit code:

• When using the four-digit code, begin with the final digit of the current year followed by the three-digit Julian code. For example, 14 February 2050 would be coded as 0045.
• When using the five-digit code, begin with the decade digit of the current year followed by the three-digit Julian code. For example, 14 February 2050 would be coded as 50045. The Julian code shall represent the day the product was packaged into the pouch.

The first number of the four-digit code identifies the year of production. For example, any code beginning with 7### indicates MRE 2017, 8### indicates MRE 2018, 9### indicates MRE 2019, and so forth.

All rations are labeled to meet the requirements of the Food Allergen Labeling and Consumer Protection Act of 2004, which requires that food-product labels clearly identify if the product contains any of the eight major food allergens: milk, eggs, fish, crustacean shellfish, tree nuts, peanuts, wheat, and soybeans. In addition, manufacturers are required to follow good manufacturing practices, such as preventing allergen ingredients used in one product from transferring to another, to further reduce the chance of allergic reactions.

Different manufacturers may use different ingredients during production, as long as the finished product meets the set of performance and nutrition requirements specified for the item. As a result, the actual ingredients for an item may vary, even when the nutrients don’t. It’s very important for individuals with a known food allergy to read the ingredient and allergen statements on each ration component prior to consumption, to ensure they have the most up-to-date information.

Combat rations are designed to meet the unique nutritional needs of warriors conducting missions in operational environments. During combat operations, warriors engage in moderate to heavy physical activity and, therefore, have increased nutrient needs compared to the needs of the civilian population. Combat rations are required to meet the minimum standards stated in the Nutrition Standards for Operational and Restricted Rations (AR 40-25) set forth by the Department of the Army, Office of the Surgeon General. For more information, please see the Warfighter’s Guide to Performance Nutrition and Operational Rations.

Daily Values are based on the Reference Daily Intakes (RDIs) established for the general civilian population. Civilian population nutrient needs are significantly lower than those of active-duty military, so RDIs are substantially lower compared to the Military Dietary Reference Intakes (Chapter 2 of AR 40-25, the Nutritional Standards for Operational and Restricted Rations).

For more information on the various operational rations, their purpose, major characteristics, nutritional data, and preparation requirements, please see the Leader's Guide to Operational Rations.

For more information on performance nutrition as it relates to operational rations, please see the Warfighter’s Guide to Performance Nutrition and Operational Rations.