~ 720th Military Police Battalion Reunion Association Vietnam History Project ~
The "C Ration" (cooked rats) Cookbook
C-Rats, not just for breakfast - lunch - and dinner anymore. Thank God!
     Although they no longer exist (except in the deepest accesses of intestinal tracts of some Vietnam veterans) having been phased out shortly after the Vietnam War, and replaced my MRE's Meals Ready To Eat, which we knew as LRRP Rations. The C-Rats still evoke some not so fond memories of meals in the field for many veterans of the era. Although some specimens can still be found on the Internet from military memorabilia collectors, it is not suggested that you attempt to eat them. After all, they were not made to last forever like the "Twinkie."
Top Row Left to Right
Salt Packet- also used to remove leaches; Cream Substitute; Instant Coffee- instructions were for use in canteen cup that was no longer being issued to troops. Coffee was brewed in the empty C-Rat tin.
Middle Row Left to Right
Sugar Packet- Used to flavor cooked ham rather that sweeten coffee; Toilet Paper- As valuable as gold!; Chicklets- Used as after meal mint to remove the last vestiges of its taste. Sometimes given to local children in the hope they will alert you to any local land mines.
Bottom Row Left to Right
Matches- useless except in dry season, match book doubled as extra toilet paper (scraper); Cigarettes- five pack, non-smokers traded them to smokers for favorite desert can or an extra toilet paper packet; Spoon- before the "Spork" was invented.

Right: P-38 Can Opener

      Used to open the metal meal cans. The best multi-purposed tool ever invented for the soldier in the field.

     And for those diehard veterans that long for reliving the experiences of yesteryear, I strongly suggest that to obtain the magical taste of your glory days, substitute a low grade store brand dog food for the appropriate C-Rat meat in the recipes listed below.

     Although we still love to beat-down the lowly C-Rats, they sure beat the hell out of what the other side was eating, when they had food.
 
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