- **Lunch and Dinner:** These meals feature multiple entrées, a salad bar, vegetable and grain sides, desserts, and beverages.
- **Nutritional Standards:** Military nutrition guidelines promote lean protein, whole grains, fresh fruits, and vegetables to provide balanced and healthy meals.
- **Special Events:** During holidays like Thanksgiving and Christmas, elaborate traditional meals are served to boost morale.
- **Other Options:** Many bases feature popular fast-food chains and food trucks, while ship kitchens use fresh foods from galleys and freezers.
**Rations for Field or Combat**
When deployed, in training, or in combat, service members rely on pre-packaged field rations that do not need refrigeration.
- **Meal, Ready-to-Eat (MRE):** The most common field ration, MREs are lightweight pouches designed for single meals, which can be eaten hot or cold. An MRE typically includes:
- A main course (options like chili and macaroni, spaghetti, beef patties, or chicken noodles)
- Side dishes (rice, corn, or mashed potatoes)
- Crackers or bread (historical hardtack or modern variants)
- Spreads (cheese, peanut butter, or jelly)
- Desserts or snacks (cookies, candy, pound cake, or energy bars)
- Powdered beverages (fruit punch, coffee, cocoa, or tea)
- Flameless ration heater (chemical heater for warming food)
- Accessory pack (utensils, matches, gum, toilet paper, and seasonings)
- **Unitized Group Ration (UGR):** A complete meal similar to dining facilities' hot meals but pre-packaged for field preparation, serving groups of service members.
**Other Ration Types**