Military MRE's

[mechanic]

For many years MRE's could be bought at post exchange, at mil-surp places, and even on EBay.  Now it would appear the DOD is cracking down.  These are labeled not to be sold, but I assume they just didn't get involved....following is an Ebay message.  In the event you have these, I would not advertise too much...just sayin'.
 
Ben
 
 
TO: ALL SELLERS OF OPERATIONAL RATION ITEMS ON EBAY

FROM: OFFICE OF OPERATIONAL RATIONS SECURITY

This e-mail is being sent to all sellers of Operational Ration Items on Ebay. This is a request for the voluntary termination of all sales of Operational Ration items and is being sent with the knowledge of the Defense Criminal Investigation Service (DCIS), the Ebay Fraud Investigations Team, and the Ebay Infringing Item Legal Department. Immediate auction termination is requested based on the rationale presented below:

1. All Operational Rations are procured by the Defense Logistics Agency with taxpayer dollars and are Government owned until consumed by authorized personnel or disposed of if appropriate. RESALE IS STRICTLY PROHIBITED.

2. Sale to and use/disposition by unauthorized personnel is a violation of Operational Rations Security. The potential for adulteration by unauthorized personnel is an unnecessary threat presented by the auction sales of Operational Ration items to unknown/unauthorized persons and such sales will be investigated and terminated.


The VOLUNTARY TERMINATION of subject auctions on Ebay (or other on-line auction sites) is hereby requested by the Office of Operational Rations Security, Defense Supply Center Philadelphia, Defense Logistics Agency, Department of Defense. Your cooperation in this extremely important matter is greatly appreciated and your voluntary termination of Government Owned Operational Rations auctions is anticipated. Any infringing auctions which remain after formal notification of sellers will be identified and acted upon by appropriate Ebay personnel or referred to DCIS for further investigation. Questions may be addressed to the official e-mail address below. Again, your cooperation is appreciated.

Office of Operational Rations Security
Technical & Quality Assurance Program Manager
Operational Rations Business Unit
Defense Supply Center Philadelphia
DSCP-HR
(sender removed)@dscp.dla.mil
 

[SHOOTALL]

So how did they ever get out ?

[mechanic]

Beats me.  For many years folks with a military ID could buy them at the PX.  Near Ft. Campbell several years ago, and within sight of the main gate, a flea mkt. seller had case after case.  They have been, and still are on Ebay, even after the warning.  Our local surplus store has them, albeit at high prices.
 
I really don't know how far this will go, just posted it as a heads up in case someone was buying and selling on the side....
 
Ben

[reliquary]

In this area, the state issues them through the National Guard, to shelters.  After each of the last three hurricanes, the local shelters had dozens of cases left that weren't issued, and the NG didn't want them back.  We were told to take them to the dump and dispose of them.  Some few might have been diverted into local storage.   
 
FWIW, we now call them "Meals Refused by Evacuees", because most of them were just opened and discarded.  The folks either weren't smart enough to fix them, or weren't hungry enough to appreciate them.
 
I didn't see any for sale the last time I went to the BX at Barksdale...didn't really look; will check next time I go...but if I bought any, they wouldn't be for sale, anyway.  Thanks for the heads-up.

[Couger]

 
This thread is about one unique topic that really pzzz's me off about the fedcoats!  And their blatant contempt for John Q. Taxpayer-Publik!  (there are others, too)
 
We paid for those MRE's!  They belong to EVERYBODY!
 
 
 
However ..... Because MRE's are usually dated or close to expiration when "available," there are better and other places to obtain emergency prepared foodstufs if they're needed.
 
LongLife Food Depot (dot com?) used to be one such source my family had good luck with (more direct than CheaperThanDirt.com, SportsmanDiscount, etc.).
 
Do a search on the Net!      Better menu selections and prices are usually found dealing with MRE-type manufacturers anyway. 

[reliquary]

I've seen some MREs that came from Emergency Essentials, also.  They are the ones I mainly deal with.
 
"Office of Operational Rations Security" sounds like a perfect place for a bureaucrat.
 Is there any chance this original letter is a "spoof"?  When I was dealing with depot security and operations in the 80s, no one really cared what happened to them after they were issued or sold.

[mannyrock]

 
      Of course, if we were civilians who lived in Afghanistan or Iraq, the feds would be giving them to us for free!  By the pallet load!

[MTNRGR]

Old topic but I had to post this.........
They sell them on the shelf at the commissary on base at Fort Belvoir, VA, 13 miles from D.C. They even has a special little rack for them, you can buy them individually or by the case. So I can buy them from there, where anyone authorized to shop at can, but cant resell them? And they are the same ones that say "not authorized to sell" or whatever it says on them. I was surprized when I saw them.

[mechanic]

I've been buying some lately from a military supply/surplus store that is physically located on Ft. Benning, Ga.  go figure.
 
Ben