The Combat Ration One Man, or CR1M is a self-contained, individual
field ration
A field ration (combat ration, ration pack, or food packet) is a type of prepackaged or canned military ration. Field rations are distinguished from garrison rations by virtue of being designed for minimal preparation in the field, as well ...
in lightweight packaging procured by the
Australian military
The Australian Defence Force (ADF) is the military organisation responsible for the defence of the Commonwealth of Australia and its national interests. It consists of the Royal Australian Navy (RAN), Australian Army, Royal Australian Air Forc ...
for its members for use in combat or other field conditions where organised food facilities are not available.
![ADF Combat Ration 1 Man](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/a/af/ADF_Combat_Ration_1_Man.jpg)
The CR1M consists of two main meals (vacuum packed), a midday snack (chocolate, muesli bar etc.), a number of sundry items (toilet paper, can opener, matches, scouring pad etc.) and a
Field Ration Eating Device
The Field Ration Eating Device (F.R.E.D. or FRED) is a small device which serves as a combination of a can opener, a bottle opener, and a spoon. Introduced around 1943, it is issued to the Australian Defence Force in its CR1M ration packs. It i ...
or F.R.E.D.
The items of the Combat Ration One Man are produced by various companies within Australia and New Zealand with most of the food and condiments being items commonly found in Australian stores. Notable examples of this are Nestle's "Australian Defence Force Chocolate Ration",
Uncle Tobys
Uncle Tobys is an Australian food manufacturing company which specialises in breakfast oat products. Since its foundation in 1861, the company has expanded its product range across the cereal and ready-to-eat snack market. Uncle Tobys is currentl ...
' Muesli Bars and
Bega Cheese
Bega Cheese is an Australian diversified food and drinks company with manufacturing sites in New South Wales, Queensland, Western Australia and Victoria. Founded as an agricultural cooperative in the town of Bega, New South Wales by their dair ...
Vegemite
Vegemite ( ) is a thick, dark brown Australian food spread made from leftover brewers' yeast extract with various vegetable and spice additives. It was developed by Cyril Callister in Melbourne, Victoria, in 1922.
A spread for sandwiches, t ...
.
F.R.E.D.
The F.R.E.D. or
Field Ration Eating Device
The Field Ration Eating Device (F.R.E.D. or FRED) is a small device which serves as a combination of a can opener, a bottle opener, and a spoon. Introduced around 1943, it is issued to the Australian Defence Force in its CR1M ration packs. It i ...
is a combination spoon, can opener, and bottle opener included in every CR1M. Australian troops commonly refer to the F.R.E.D. as the 'Fucking Ridiculous Eating Device'.
The PR1M and CR5M
Two other close variants of the Combat Ration One Man (CR1M) are the PR1M (Patrol Ration One Man) and the CR5M (Combat Ration 5 Man).
The PR1M is a light weight variant of the CR1M weighing only 60% of the total weight of the CR1M, the main items in it are freeze dried and vacuum sealed to reduce size and weight. It is made to sustain a soldier for 24 hours in combat but can last up to 3 days in a survival situation.
The CR5M is the five-man variant of the CR1M, it is packed in a large box and contains enough food sources to last five troops 24 hours in a combat situation. Unlike the other Australian ration packs this one is not size conscious and is often split up into the packs of troops as it is a means of group feeding.
See also
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Meal, Ready-to-Eat
A Meal, Ready-to-Eat (MRE) is a self-contained, individual field ration in lightweight packaging purchased by the United States Department of Defense for its service members for use in combat or field conditions where other food is not availab ...
Notes
References
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External links
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Digger History
Post–Cold War military equipment of Australia
Military food
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