K-ration

The K-ration was a United States military ration consisting of three separately boxed meal units: breakfast, dinner, and supper. It was originally intended as an individually packaged daily ration for issue to airborne troops, tank crews, motorcycle couriers, and other mobile forces for short durations.

The K-ration differs from other American alphabetized rations such as the A-ration, consisting of fresh food; B-ration, consisting of packaged, unprepared preserved food; C-ration, consisting of prepared, canned food; D-ration, consisting of military chocolate; and emergency rations, intended for emergencies when other food or rations are unavailable.