03-23-2008, 11:46 AM
depending on which set you get also depends on the shelf life. anything made after 1995 comes in a Tan bag (i believe its 95), any before that comes in a dark brown bag. the dark brown bags have a 35 year shelf life while the tan ones have a 15 to 20 year shelf life if both are stored some where moderate ie. a closet in the house. there were only two of the dark brown ones that i really enjoyed and would be to be issued, #10 (ham slice) and #12 (escalloped potatos and ham). as for the new tan ones i believe there are three different menus. menu 1-12, 13-24, and 25-36. each is different and some are an experiance of their own. personal recomendations are the chicken fajitas (awesome), and the pork chow mein. they average about 2500 calories and could help when you are in a pinch. as far as price, i have no clue, i get all mine issued to me. i used to see them in the commisary years ago, but have not seen them since, but i have not been looking either. when i was stationed in cali i always had three in my truck just in case i would get stuck. the other benefits of the new ones are the heaters. 8 times out of 10 i dont care if i have a hot meal as long as i eat. i would however save the heaters. when it would get cold i would open up my ruck and pull 4 out and activate them. put two in my pant pockets and two in my chest pockets on my uniform. thaey would warm me right up and i would stay warm for a decent amount of time.
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