Gut Wrenches

[chrisf]

Hay boxes nowadays are a lot better. I've witnessed whole companies, complete with leadership, rendered ineffective for hours after a few hayboxes of good BBQ ribs for lunch. Such is the state of our food that many younger soldiers have difficulty stomaching the not quite as good, but perfectly acceptable food at American and British bases.

I'd like to take a quick moment here to compliment our cooks... nearly every *military* cook (I've got a slightly different oppinion of the civillian cooks/staff that I've run into, but that's another story) I've ever had the pleasure of meeting or working with in the forces (Not many, but I enough that I've got to add the compliment) took genuine pride in their work, and cared about the food they were serving to the troops.

Not to say that other support trades don't have pride in their work, but I've never had supply tech look at me a couple of days after issuing kit and ask "So how are your pants? Comfy?" or an RMS clerk look at me and say "You getting paid enough? Can I tack on a little extra for you?".

 

[chrisf]

Have any of you tried the 'kosher / vegitarian' meals that are being supplied now?  The ones with the separate 'extras' package?  What is your opinion of them?

They're excellent, unfortunately, at least with the meals I've had, there were only 3 variations on the main course, and 1 variation of the accessory pack... the meals themselve are delicious though, but I'd imagine they'd get quite repetitive after a few days. I know that near the end of the training year, our SQMS gets pretty loose with their stocks of veggie rations, and it's always a nice treat.

 

[Michael Dorosh]

Not to say that other support trades don't have pride in their work, but I've never had supply tech look at me a couple of days after issuing kit and ask "So how are your pants? Comfy?" or an RMS clerk look at me and say "You getting paid enough? Can I tack on a little extra for you?".

What a revoltingly bad example.

I worked in a field kitchen one weekend and was appalled by one of the specimens they had working there; of course, I know she washed out as a weapons tech and had been on a course with her in which her hobby was laying harrassment charges on people....

Anyway, I worked with some excellent fin clerks who DID follow up what they did just like the cooks in your example.  Don't be stupid and suggest that because clerks don't offer to break the law or steal money they don't care.  I would make a point of remembering who had pay issues, and if I saw them in the mess, or if they came up to my counter about other business, I'd ask about their situation or in some way let them know that their concerns were also mine.  And there are a lot of clerks out there who do the same thing.

And as clothing storesman now, I go out of my way to make it known that concerns about uniforms are my concern, too.  And you know what, I do ask how comfortable their issue stuff is.

Most guys in "cushy" postings will ensure they stay there by being extra helpful and friendly....

 

[chrisf]

What a revoltingly bad example.

I worked in a field kitchen one weekend and was appalled by one of the specimens they had working there; of course, I know she washed out as a weapons tech and had been on a course with her in which her hobby was laying harrassment charges on people....

Anyway, I worked with some excellent fin clerks who DID follow up what they did just like the cooks in your example.   Don't be stupid and suggest that because clerks don't offer to break the law or steal money they don't care.   I would make a point of remembering who had pay issues, and if I saw them in the mess, or if they came up to my counter about other business, I'd ask about their situation or in some way let them know that their concerns were also mine.   And there are a lot of clerks out there who do the same thing.

And as clothing storesman now, I go out of my way to make it known that concerns about uniforms are my concern, too.   And you know what, I do ask how comfortable their issue stuff is.

Most guys in "cushy" postings will ensure they stay there by being extra helpful and friendly....

My appologies if I've offended you, that wasn't my intent, nor was it my intent to speak negatively of RMS clerks or supply techs... my two examples were meant largely as tongue in cheek, particularly the "can I tack on a little extra for you"

It was simply meant as a compliment to the cooks, as everyone knows, an army marches on it's stomach.

 

[Blackhorse7]

The CF LUNG!!!   Is the ham omelet still making CF soldiers want to eat dirt for breakfast?

Worst

IMP

EVER!!!    :-X

Mind you, it took me doing some training in Ft. Ripley to have my first MRE with the little Tabasco bottle it it... one word for that.

Genius.

 

[Matt_Fisher]

hahahahaha

I knew it wouldn't be long before somebody mentioned lung in a bag/ham omlette.

Sig Op...I will second your view regarding cooks.  These are some of the hardest working CSS types I've ever met.  As Napoleon said "An Army travels on its belly". 

 

[Britney Spears]

Is the ham omelet still making CF soldiers want to eat dirt for breakfast?

AFAIK, no.

I had read an interesting article a while back (<a href=http://www.nwitimes.com/articles/2004/11/26/updates/odds_and_ends/254b2599ccf6112b86256f58006c32e1.txt>not the same article but of the same subject</a>) noting that the Americans were only 2 years away at most from developing a safe, tasty way of incorporating eggs into their rations. This came as a suprise to me, since as we all know, we in the CF have been enjoying eggs in our rations for years! Why didn't they just ask us how we did it? Certainly since we already possess the technology, we should share it with our American allies? Unless............. ;D

Sig Op...I will second your view regarding cooks.  These are some of the hardest working CSS types I've ever met.  As Napoleon said "An Army travels on its belly".

If your camp has only 1 air conditione, heater, or other amenity, give it to the cook.  He/She deserves it and you'll all be better off.

Not to say that other support trades don't have pride in their work, but I've never had supply tech look at me a couple of days after issuing kit and ask "So how are your pants? Comfy?" or an RMS clerk look at me and say "You getting paid enough? Can I tack on a little extra for you?".

I, for one, welcome our FIN clerk overlords......

 

[elbarto]

Speaking of IMP's, in the Jan 2005 issue of Maxim, there is a comparison of hard rations from different countries.  According to them, Canada ties with Germany for third, behind France and Norway.  Rounding out the list was USA followed by the UK. 

The IMP which was tested was supper no. 6 - Salmon Filet.  They were particularly impressed with the long spoon which reaches the bottom of the bag.  They even went so far as to say - and I quote "beats US MRE's by a mile".

In defence of the MRE, it still has that skookum little bottle of Tabasco sauce, plus skittles. 

 

[Gayson]

I wish our rats came with tobasco.

 

[Big Foot]

speaking of rats, the veal and god only knows what kind of sauce IMP looks like a dead rat floating in a creamy white sauce... use your imagination. and the smell of it... lol. and by the way, it is Ration Individuelle Package or something like that to get RIP.

 

[chrisf]

Speaking of IMP's, in the Jan 2005 issue of Maxim, there is a comparison of hard rations from different countries.    According to them, Canada ties with Germany for third, behind France and Norway.   Rounding out the list was USA followed by the UK.  

The IMP which was tested was supper no. 6 - Salmon Filet.   They were particularly impressed with the long spoon which reaches the bottom of the bag.   They even went so far as to say - and I quote "beats US MRE's by a mile".

Salmon filet was definitly a good choice... we'll have to see what we can do about getting some meat balls for them though... mmmm... scrum-diddly-upmtious.

 

[bossi]

... They were particularly impressed with the long spoon which reaches the bottom of the bag  ...

I'm surprised nobody here has mentioned "racing spoons" ... 

And, as far as all-time favourites:  The tin of bacon, chicken dumplings, and crackers from IRPs
(I've actually been able to find IRP components from time to time in stores off the beaten track - brand name label "Select", with the blue stripes - wonderfully nostalgic, and just as tasty at home as in the field ... yes, I know I'm a sick puppy ... and I still think peanut butter should be recognised as a food group!)

 

[Freddy Chef]

I like the KFS, I always keep it on me incase the the IMP spoon breaks...

Here, here!

KFS is issue, so it is in stock at the CQ/RQ, thus replacing it is easier if it's rendered N/S, lost/stolen etc. [Expendable/replaceable?]

The question is, which is the cheaper expendable/replaceable piece of kit: The Lexan® GSI Tekk Cutlery Set, from MEC, or how much the QM/Clothing Stores will charge you for a lost KFS?

... it is Ration Individuelle Package or something like that to get RIP.

"IMP / RICâ ? is what's printed on the "2000 Patternâ ? ration crate/box.
aesop081 has a point.

I'm surprised nobody here has mentioned "racing spoons"...

Hey, another Andy McNab fan! Good stuff!  ;D

I've had not so favourite IMP's, but never came across any that I hated. [As the username would suggest. ]

 

[aesop081]

speaking of rats, the veal and god only knows what kind of sauce IMP looks like a dead rat floating in a creamy white sauce... use your imagination. and the smell of it... lol. and by the way, it is Ration Individuelle Package or something like that to get RIP.

I have been eating IMPs......RICs.........for the last 12 years..........I am also of the french persuasion so i wasn't talking out of my ass.  One day, when you are out of RMC and you are all grown up, you will be able to say this as well.

 

[Michael Dorosh]

On a totally unrelated note, RIP is actually latin - wonderment has been expressed in the past to see Rest in Peace on German tombstones, for example.  But in Latin, it is the same - requiescat in pace

 

[Baloo]

It's fun to learn...because knowledge is power! 

 

[Gayson]

I had two KFS/s for a while.

When I got issued my webbing parts when I enlisted, my KFS holder had a KFS in it.  ;D

 

[kellywmj]

The All Time best ration was the Cross and Blackwell arctic supplement, the chocolate nut cake in a can. Heat it up in the pressure cooker, melt a tube of dairy spread and drizzle it over the top, and eat it right out of the can with a spoon!

 

[Kal]

Bossi, good call on the racing spoon.....

 

[q_1966]

Hah, I would soooo ace that test.

Call me a strange one, but I've never come across an IMP or MRE that I didn't like.  

Never...what about Ham Steak with...dreaded Pineaple Sauce, If you like that one, then ur a good trading partner

- Shawn