Field Evaluation of the Individual Soldier Enhanced Ration (ISER) and the Heat and Serve Ration.

Abstract : The primary objective of the Individual Soldier Enhanced Ration (ISER) project is to provide additional menus for the MRE, to increase variety, and promote greater food consumption by reducing menu fatigue. The Heat and Serve Ration (formerly known as the Tray Ration) was designed to provide good quality, nutritionally complete meals to mobile troops in the field and combat situations. The unitized 18-soldier meal modules of the Heat and Serve Ration contain all items necessary for a complete meal, including the entree, vegetable, starch, dessert, beverages, snack items, and utensils. A 7 day field evaluation of the acceptability of both developmental and nondevelopmental food items for the ISER and Heat and Serve Ration was conducted 15-21 September 1994 at the Yakima Training Center, Yakima, WA. The evaluation found most food items of the MRE and Heat and Serve Ration acceptable for field feeding. Soldiers agree that more menus are needed in the MRE and would like to see the new food items that were evaluated included in the ration. Most new food items evaluated for the Heat and Serve Ration also received favorable ratings and soldiers recommended an increase in the variety of food items available in the ration