I've never served in the military (just with it) but I've et a lot of MREs. Some are good, some are just so-so and the "crackers" are positively cardboard.

I've used MREs mainly on canoe and sea kayak trips, due, of course, to their weight. Contrary to popular belief the (U.S.) military spends considerable time and money trying to improve the taste and calorie content of MREs to keep morale higher in the field.

I know of soldiers that said the German soldiers on maneuvers with U.S. troops ALWAYS wanted U.S. MREs instead of their own - just like Brits always coveted U.S. backpacks in recent years. They are more comfortable and they don't fall apart.

Eric