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48-566: The Unitized Group Ration ( UGR ) is a United States military ration used by the United States Armed Forces and Department of Defense (DoD). It is intended to sustain groups of American service members with access to a field kitchen , serving as a field ration and a garrison ration . It is the modern successor to several older alphabetized rations—namely the A-ration , B-ration , and T-ration—combining them under

96-401: A flameless ration heater and does not require a separate field kitchen. The UGR-E begins heating with the pull of a tab, and can fully heat a meal within 30 to 45 minutes. The UGR-E has an offering of 4 breakfast menus, 8 lunch/dinner menus, and 1 holiday menu; each meal provides an average of 1,300 kcal. Each UGR-E module contains 18 meals, with each pallet holding 400 meals. UGR-E modules have

144-782: A multitude of rations . In World War I three types of rations came into usage by the U.S. military: the Reserve ration , the Trench ration , and the Emergency ration (also known as the Iron ration ). The first attempt to make an individual ration for issue to soldiers in the field was the "iron ration", first introduced in 1907. It consisted of three three-ounce cakes (made from a concoction of beef bouillon powder and parched and cooked wheat ), three one-ounce bars of sweetened chocolate , and packets of salt and pepper that were issued in

192-464: A density of 111.04 inhabitants/sq mi (42.872/km ), compared to 93.844/sq mi (36.233/km ) for the nation as a whole. While conterminous U.S. has the precise meaning of contiguous U.S. (both adjectives meaning "sharing a common boundary"), other terms commonly used to describe the 48 contiguous states have a greater degree of ambiguity. Because Alaska is also a part of North America , the term continental United States also includes that state, so

240-573: A double ration of four ounces of rum or whiskey; this was extended in 1799 to include troops engaged in fatigue duties . It was discontinued in 1832 and replaced with a ration of coffee and sugar , which was increased in 1836. In 1846, a spirit ration was reinstated for issue to troops engaged in construction or surveying duties; this was discontinued in 1865. During the American Civil War , both armies struggled to keep their soldiers adequately fed. Difficulties with food logistics led to

288-589: A minimum shelf life of 18 months at 80 °F (26.6 °C). The Unitized Group Ration – A ( UGR-A ) is the successor to the A-ration, and consists of perishable entrées intended to be prepared in a field kitchen. The UGR-A is the only UGR with frozen food , and thus requires refrigeration to store and prepare. The UGR-A has an offering of 7 breakfast menus and 14 lunch/dinner menus; each meal provides an average of 1,450 kcal. Each UGR-A module contains 50 meals, with each pallet holding 600 meals. UGR-A modules have

336-459: A minimum shelf life of 18 months at 80 °F (26.6 °C). The Unitized Group Ration – Express ( UGR-E or UGR-Express ), nicknamed the " kitchen in a carton ", consists of meals in self-heating steam table trays based on the UGR-H&;S meal offerings. The UGR-E is designed to provide hot meals where feeding a group with hot food would otherwise be unfeasible; unlike other UGRs, it uses

384-636: A minimum shelf life of 18 months at 80 °F (26.6 °C). The UGR comes in two menu variations: breakfast and lunch/dinner. Menus are intended to be cycled through regularly. They include both standard American cuisine and diverse cuisines. The UGR-E also has a unique holiday menu variant. UGR modules come with mandatory and optional meal supplements—namely UHT milk , cereal , bread , fruits , vegetables , salads , drink mixes , and condiments —as well as eating utensils , kitchen utensils , disposable mess trays , cups , napkins , and trash bags . The menus below are adapted from lists available on

432-615: A minimum shelf life of 9 months outside the contiguous U.S. and 3 months within the contiguous U.S., at 80 °F (26.6 °C) for semi-perishable modules and 0 °F (-17.7 °C) for perishable modules. The Unitized Group Ration – A, Short Order ( UGR-A SO ) consists of meals intended to supplement the UGR-A and expand available food options or feed larger groups, especially where alternate dining facilities or existing meal options are unavailable. Most UGR-A SO meals are based on fast food , pub food , and finger food . The UGR-A SO has

480-555: A sealed tin packet that weighed one pound. It was designed for emergency use when the troops were unable to be supplied with food. It was later discontinued by the adoption of the "Reserve Ration", but experience with the Iron Ration went into the development of the emergency D-ration . This ration was issued in the early part of the war to address a problem. Soldiers fighting in the front lines needed to be supplied with their daily rations, but cooked food prepared at field kitchens

528-559: A single unified system. UGRs are designed to meet the Military Daily Recommended Allowance when averaged over a 5 to 10 day period, with each meal providing between 1,300 and 1,450 kcal . The UGR was introduced in 1999, and is currently known to be used by the U.S. Army , U.S. Marine Corps , U.S. Air Force , and National Guard . The U.S. Navy also reportedly uses the UGR for disembarked operations, using

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576-441: A state, it was properly included within the continental U.S. due to being an incorporated territory . The term mainland United States is sometimes used synonymously with continental United States , but technically refers only to those parts of states connected to the landmass of North America, thereby excluding not only Hawaii and overseas insular areas , but also islands which are part of continental states but separated from

624-469: Is actual land, composing 83.65 percent of the country's total land area, and is comparable in size to the area of Australia. Officially, 160,820.25 square miles (416,522.5 km ) of the contiguous United States is water area, composing 62.66 percent of the nation's total water area. The contiguous United States, if it were a country, would be fifth on the list of countries and dependencies by area , behind Russia , Canada , China , and Brazil . However,

672-801: Is also on North America, but separated from the 48 states by British Columbia in Canada, but excludes Hawaii and all the insular areas in the Caribbean and the Pacific . The greatest distance (on a great-circle route) entirely within the contiguous U.S. is 2,802 miles (4,509 km), coast-to-coast between Florida and the State of Washington ; the greatest north–south line is 1,650 miles (2,660 km). The contiguous United States occupies an area of 3,119,884.69 square miles (8,080,464.3 km ). Of this area, 2,959,064.44 square miles (7,663,941.7 km )

720-536: Is the successor to the T-ration, and consists of precooked, shelf-stable tray pack entrées . The UGR-H&S is hermetically sealed can be prepared using a tray ration heater or by immersing it in boiling water, ready to serve in 30 to 45 minutes. The UGR-H&S has an offering of 5 breakfast menus and 10 lunch/dinner menus; each meal provides an average of 1,450 kcal. Each UGR-H&S module contains 50 meals, with each pallet holding 400 meals. UGR-H&S modules have

768-508: The Meat Ration was changed, removing the dried beef in favor of canned pork and beans , and reducing the bread component. The corned beef allowance was also reduced in size (older rations continued to be issued, however). In 1936, menu planners attempted to introduce more variety by developing an alternate Meat Ration consisting of an "A"-menu (canned corned beef) and a "B"-menu (canned pork and beans). The A and B Reserve or combat ration

816-582: The Northwest Angle in Minnesota are three such places. Alburgh, Vermont , is not directly connected by land, but is accessible by road via bridges from within Vermont and from New York. By contrast, Hyder, Alaska , is physically part of contiguous Alaska and its easternmost town, but the only practical access is by road through Canada or by seaplane. The 48 contiguous states are: In addition,

864-665: The Revolutionary War to the Spanish–American War , the U.S. Army ration, as decreed by the Continental Congress , was the garrison ration, which consisted of meat or salt fish , bread or hardtack , and vegetables . There was also a spirit ration. In 1785, it was set at four ounces of rum , reduced to two ounces of whiskey , brandy , or rum in 1790. In 1794, troops about to enter combat or who were engaged in frontier service could receive

912-628: The South Pacific Ocean in Polynesia , south of the equator — it is 2,200 miles (3,500 km) southwest of Hawaii . In American Samoa, the contiguous United States is called the "mainland United States" or "the states"; those not from American Samoa are called palagi (outsiders). Apart from off-shore U.S. islands , a few continental portions of the contiguous United States are accessible by road only by traveling through Canada. Point Roberts, Washington ; Elm Point, Minnesota ; and

960-737: The 49th state of the United States on January 3, 1959. Alaska is the northwest extremity of the North American continent, separated from the U.S. West Coast by the Canadian province of British Columbia . The term Lower 48 has, for many years, been a common Alaskan equivalent for "contiguous United States"; today, many Alaskans use the term "Outside" for those states, though some may use "Outside" to refer to any location not within Alaska. The territory of Hawaii , consisting of

1008-540: The D-ration did not change much throughout the war, but the C-ration developed many variations. A- and B-rations were only served at bases or established camps in rear areas as they require cooking. C-rations could be eaten hot or cold and required no special preparation or storage, so these could be served almost anywhere. During the war a new ration for assault troops, the 2,830 calories (11,800 kJ) K-ration ,

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1056-595: The DLA's Operational Rations Division. UGRs, like other rations, cannot be sold to individuals, and are only supplied or sold to the U.S. military, the DoD, the federal government, government employee commissaries , government contractors (if their contract specifically permits such purchases), foreign governments with authorized contractual relationships, and civilians as humanitarian aid . American service members generally find UGRs to taste better than MREs. The UGR-E in particular

1104-645: The District of Columbia who were born in, or can trace their family ancestry to, Puerto Rico. The U.S. Virgin Islands is a U.S. territory located directly to the east of Puerto Rico in the Caribbean Sea. The term "stateside" is used to refer to the mainland, in relation to the U.S. Virgin Islands (see Stateside Virgin Islands Americans ). American Samoa is a U.S. territory located in

1152-706: The Interior by the American military organizations of the time—the future states of Alaska and Hawaii , then each only organized incorporated territories of the Union, were respectively covered by the Eleventh Air Force and Seventh Air Force during the war. Residents of Alaska, Hawaii and off-shore U.S. territories have unique labels for the contiguous United States because of their own locations relative to them. The vast territory of Alaska became

1200-564: The Navy Standard Core Menu (NSCM) aboard naval vessels . The UGR's primary field and combat equivalent is the better-known Meal, Ready-to-Eat (MRE), with the First Strike Ration (FSR), Long Range Patrol (LRP), and Meal, Cold Weather (MCW) serving as specialized field equivalents. Prior to the UGR's implementation, the U.S. military had several different types of rations used to feed service members in

1248-400: The U.S. military launched a modernization program to resolve this issue while also increasing the quality and decreasing the cost of existing rations. Research was headed by the U.S. Army Natick Soldier Research, Development and Engineering Center and the U.S. Army Quartermaster Center and School . In an effort to simplify logistics and ensure all necessary ingredients were provided, the UGR

1296-404: The continental United States, and as the 48 contiguous states. The District of Columbia is not always specifically mentioned as being part of CONUS . OCONUS is derived from CONUS with O for outside added, thus referring to Outside of Continental United States. The term lower 48 is also used to refer to the conterminous United States. The National Geographic style guide recommends

1344-503: The entire Hawaiian Islands archipelago except for Midway Atoll , became the 50th state of the United States on August 21, 1959. It is the southernmost U.S. state, and the latest one to join the Union. Not part of any continent, Hawaii is located in the Pacific Ocean , about 2,200 miles (3,541 km) from North America and almost halfway between North America and Asia . In Hawaii and overseas American territories , for instance,

1392-555: The form of the C-ration (later the MCI) continued until 1983, when they were replaced by the Meal, Ready-to-Eat (MRE). Created during this era was the T-ration (or "T-rat"), a semi-perishable meal packaged, heated, and served in a tray pack similar to frozen meals . Currently, the following rations are available to troops: The composition of these rations are predetermined in a way to make sure that soldiers are properly fed and equipped with

1440-438: The latter part of World War I to feed troops who were away from a garrison or field kitchen. It originally consisted of 12 ounces of fresh bacon or one pound of canned meat known as the Meat Ration , usually corned beef. Additionally, two 8-ounce cans of hard bread or hardtack biscuits, a packet of 1.16 ounces of pre-ground coffee, a packet of 2.4 ounces of granulated sugar, and a packet of 0.16 ounces of salt were issued. There

1488-596: The mainland, such as the Aleutian Islands ( Alaska ), San Juan Islands ( Washington ), the Channel Islands ( California ), the Keys ( Florida ), the barrier islands ( Gulf and East Coast states), and Long Island (New York). CONUS , a technical term used by the U.S. Department of Defense , General Services Administration , NOAA/National Weather Service , and others, has been defined both as

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1536-589: The necessary nutrients in order to maximize energy levels. There are certain levels of nutrients that are recommended by the Military Nutrition Research Committee. As a baseline, it is recommended that there be at least 2,400 kcal in each ration, in which those rations are constructed of different levels of numerous vitamins and nutrients. The military prioritizes the burn disposal of the waste because, if not taken care of properly, it can lead to more problems. The goal achieved from

1584-566: The only two non- contiguous states, which are Alaska and Hawaii (they are also the last two states to be admitted to the Union ), and all other offshore insular areas , such as the U.S. territories of American Samoa , Guam , the Northern Mariana Islands , Puerto Rico , and the U.S. Virgin Islands . The colloquial term " Lower   48 " is also used, especially in relation to Alaska. The related but distinct term continental United States includes Alaska, which

1632-410: The production, management, and distribution of UGRs and their contents, including (as of 2023) ABC Ventures, AmeriQual, Atlantic, Chef Minute Meals, Club Tex, Envision, Inc. , Epic Foods, Gossner Foods , Hershey , HOIST, LC Industries, Nex-Xos, OhSix, Oregon Freeze Dry, Sterling Foods, Sopakco, Valley Foods, Werling Meats, and Wornick. More than 60,000 UGRs are produced each year. UGRs are supplied by

1680-578: The proper disposal includes the elimination of vermin problems, airborne diseases, and preventing any enemy militaries from obtaining the waste to use as resources for themselves or as intelligence. Contiguous United States The contiguous United States (officially the conterminous United States ) consists of the 48 adjoining U.S. states and the District of Columbia of the United States in central North America . The term excludes

1728-726: The rear or out of combat. Among them were the A-ration, consisting of fresh, refrigerated, or frozen food prepared in a kitchen and served in a mess , dining facility , or elsewhere; the B-ration, consisting of packaged, preserved foods prepared in a field kitchen; and the T-ration, a semi-perishable meal packaged, heated, and served in a tray pack similar to frozen meals ; among others. However, this created issues for cooks , who "had to order an average of 34 separate items for each meal, and could only hope that they arrived when needed", forcing them to manage logistics and administrative functions instead of solely food preparation. Around 1995,

1776-808: The same kilocalorie amount, storage, and minimum shelf life as the regular UGR-A. The Unitized Group Ration – M ( UGR-M ), formerly the Unitized Group Ration – B ( UGR-B ), is the successor to the B-ration, and consists of packaged and dehydrated unprepared food intended to be assembled and prepared in a field kitchen. Designed to suit the needs of the U.S. Marine Corps , each UGR-M comes with ingredients that are primarily tailored toward specific recipes but could potentially be used to prepare other dishes. The UGR-M has an offering of 7 breakfast menus and 14 lunch/dinner menus; each meal provides an average of 1,300 kcal. Each UGR-M module contains 50 meals, with each pallet holding 400 meals. UGR-M modules have

1824-683: The term is qualified with the explicit inclusion of Alaska to resolve any ambiguity. On May 14, 1959, the United States Board on Geographic Names issued the following definitions based partially on the reference in the Alaska Omnibus Bill, which defined the continental United States as "the 49 States on the North American Continent and the District of Columbia..." The Board reaffirmed these definitions on May 13, 1999. However, even before Alaska became

1872-648: The terms the Mainland or U.S. Mainland are often used to refer to the 49 states in North America. Puerto Rico is an unincorporated territory of the United States located in the northeast Caribbean Sea , approximately 1,000 miles (1,609 km) southeast of Miami , Florida . Puerto Ricans born in Puerto Rico are U.S. citizens and are free to move to the mainland United States. The term Stateside Puerto Rican refers to residents of any U.S. state or

1920-411: The total area of the United States, including Alaska and Hawaii, ranks third or fourth. Brazil is 431,000 square kilometers (166,000 sq mi) larger than the contiguous United States, but smaller than the entire United States including Alaska, Hawaii and overseas territories. The 2020 U.S. census population of the area was 328,571,074, comprising 99.13 percent of the nation's total population, and

1968-587: The use of contiguous or conterminous United States instead of lower 48 when the 48 states are meant, unless used in the context of Alaska. Almost all of Hawaii is south of the southernmost point of the conterminous United States in Florida. During World War II , the first four numbered Air Forces of the United States Army Air Forces (USAAF) were said to be assigned to the Zone of

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2016-703: The website of the Defense Logistics Agency (DLA). UGR menus are regularly modified to improve their variety, nutrition, and efficiency. As the DLA does not regularly publish UGR menus, the lists below use the 2020 menu for the UGR-H&S, 2023 menu for the UGR-A, 2014 menu for the UGR-M, and 2021 menu for the UGR-E. Note that the lists below do not include milk, bread, fruit, or salad supplements, nor items standard to most UGRs such as regular coffee and hot sauce . A variety of contractors are involved in

2064-501: Was also a separate " tobacco ration" of 0.4 ounces of tobacco and 10 cigarette rolling papers , later replaced by brand-name machine-rolled cigarettes. After the war, there were attempts to improve the ration based on input from the field. In 1922, the Meat Ration was revised, consisting of one pound of meat (usually a combination of dried beef and canned corned beef). This was supplemented by hard chocolate, 14 ounces of hard bread or hardtack biscuits, coffee, and sugar. In 1925,

2112-501: Was canceled after being superseded in 1938 by the Field Ration, Type C . After 1918, the army ration system went through several revisions, eventually leading to the: A-rations were generally whatever meat and produce could be obtained locally, so there could be great variety from one theatre of operations to the next. B-rations were generally used when there was inadequate refrigeration for perishable A-rations. The composition of

2160-649: Was created in 1999, combining elements and offerings of the A-ration, B-ration, T-ration, and commercial items. The UGR was initially trialed with the Army, with their first shipments received around 2000; the Air Force, Marine Corps, and Navy also began receiving UGRs at unspecified dates. The UGR-E was introduced in 2006. The UGR-B was phased out and replaced by the mostly similar UGR-M at an unspecified date. As of 2023, four types of Unitized Group Rations exist. The Unitized Group Ration – Heat & Serve ( UGR-H&S )

2208-582: Was developed. K-rations were originally intended to be used as short duration rations for only 2–3 days, but cost concerns and later standardization led to its overuse, contributing in some cases to vitamin deficiencies and malnourishment. There were various other special rations developed for specific circumstances, including: Some of these specialized rations were discontinued during the war due to cost concerns, forcing commanders to adopt standardized rations in their place. The K- and D-rations were declared obsolete after World War II, but canned wet rations in

2256-472: Was positively received, with the holiday menu singled out as "a morale booster" for soldiers otherwise unable to have proper Thanksgiving or Christmas dinners on deployment. However, some items—namely egg dishes, as reported by Stars and Stripes in 2005—are widely disliked due to poor taste. Some soldiers have also cautioned against mixing or switching between UGRs and MREs, which is said to cause constipation . United States military ration From

2304-465: Was sometimes spoiled by gas attacks. The trench ration was the answer. It was a variety of canned meats ( salmon , corned beef , sardines , etc.) that were commercially procured and sealed in a large tin box covered in canvas. It was bulky and heavy and the soldiers began to get weary of the limited menu and it was soon replaced by the Reserve Ration. The reserve ration was first issued during

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