Military MREs are subject to stricter requirements than civilian MREs.  This is because these food rations are for operational and field use.  For highly active individuals, MREs must meet their nutritional needs.  Each military MRE is one self contained individual meal package which has about 1200 calories.  Each MRE case has twelve different meals so that provides the service members some variety which in turn encourages that proper nutritional needs are met.  Beyond nutritional requirements, military MREs meals are regulated for proper packaging.  This is to make sure that the MRE meal contents won’t be spoiled with variable temperatures from high altitude drops or scorching desert temperatures.  Therefore, the shelf life of MREs varies according to their storage conditions.  In ideal conditions, MREs are said to be good for as long as eleven years.  In high heat temperatures hitting 100 degrees Fahrenheit or 38 degrees the expected shelf life is nine months.  For what is considered normal conditions, the shelf life is three and a half years at 81 degrees Fahrenheit or 27 degrees Celcius.

2 FACTORY SEALED MILITARY MRE CASES "A&B" 8/2013 CURRENT ISSUE FRESH $119.95 Time Remaining: 3d 18h 24m Buy It Now for only: $119.95

Two Military MRE-Inspection 06/2013, Meals Ready to Eat, Fresh! Case A and B $115.00 Time Remaining: 17h 42m

12 Military MRE Entrees, Meals Ready to Eat, MREs, Case of Entrees $46.95 Time Remaining: 1d 17h 22m Buy It Now for only: $52.95

12 Military MRE Entrees, Meals Ready to Eat, MREs, Case of Entrees $48.95 Time Remaining: 20d 22h 37m Buy It Now for only: $48.95

Unopened Military Case A MRE meals 1-12 $45.00 Time Remaining: 2d 17h 46m

two-2014 MILITARY MRE CASEs 1A & 1B (FREE SHIPPING) insp. 7/2014-8/2014 $184.00 Time Remaining: 23d 14h 22m Buy It Now for only: $184.00

1 Case (16 Meals Ready to Eat) Sure Pak 12 MRE Camping Military Survival Boating $26.00 (14 Bids) Time Remaining: 5h 14m

MRE Case Menu A Insp Date 12-2013 REAL MILITARY Mres $59.00 (6 Bids) Time Remaining: 18h 43m

MRE 6 MILITARY FRESH A PACK MEALS EXP/ 2/14 $30.00 Time Remaining: 4d 8h 51m Buy It Now for only: $30.00

HUGE lot of MREs MilkShakes Cocoa and Cappuccinos SURVIVAL CAMPING MILITARY MRE $30.00 (5 Bids) Time Remaining: 2d 18h 23m

two-2014 MILITARY MRE CASEs 1A & 1B (FREE SHIPPING) survival Meal Ready to Eat $184.00 Time Remaining: 8d 22h 12m Buy It Now for only: $184.00

Case of 12 MRE-Star MREs, Military Meals Ready to Eat $71.95 Time Remaining: 3d 17h 50m Buy It Now for only: $79.99

Fresh Case of Military MRE's Case B Inspection Date OCT 2014 Sealed Unopened $55.80 (9 Bids) Time Remaining: 19h 24m

Military MRE lot, MREs Insp date 11/2014 Case FRESH!! Pick 4 meals $21.99 Time Remaining: 15d 12h 22m Buy It Now for only: $21.99

4 Packs of Sure Pak MRE (Meals Ready to Eat) Camping Military Survival Boating $0.99 Time Remaining: 1d 5h 14m

MRE, (6) SANDWICH BARBECUED BEEF OR BBQ CHICKEN EX.2015 USED BY THE US MILITARY $21.00 Time Remaining: 29d 3h 1m Buy It Now for only: $21.00

8 Packs of Sure Pak MRE (Meals Ready to Eat) Camping Military Survival Boating $20.50 (7 Bids) Time Remaining: 5h 15m

One Military MRE-Inspection 04/2012, Meals Ready to Eat, Fresh! Case B $40.00 (1 Bid) Time Remaining: 2d 17h 31m

MRE Genuine Military Issue Toilet Paper; Compact Portable for Hiking, Camping... $4.99 Time Remaining: 4d 17h 39m Buy It Now for only: $4.99

1case Military MRE-Inspection 03/2012, Meals Ready to Eat, Fresh! Case A or B $50.00 (1 Bid) Time Remaining: 8h 49m

5 Cases (80 Meals Ready to Eat) Sure Pak 12 MRE Camping Military Survival $330.00 Time Remaining: 29d 7h 52m Buy It Now for only: $330.00

Military MRE, Meals Ready to Eat, Case, Lot #0025, FREE SHIPPING $70.68 (6 Bids) Time Remaining: 1d 6h 8m

1 Case (16 Meals Ready to Eat) Sure Pak 12 MRE Camping Military Survival Boating $20.50 (8 Bids) Time Remaining: 2d 5h 14m

MRE, (6) SANDWICH BARBECUED BEEF OR BBQ CHICKEN EX.2015 USED BY THE US MILITARY $20.00 Time Remaining: 29d 2h 59m Buy It Now for only: $20.00

4 Packs of Sure Pak MRE (Meals Ready to Eat) Camping Military Survival Boating $4.25 (4 Bids) Time Remaining: 5h 14m

3 Military MRE Meals (1) $17.95 Time Remaining: 2d 4h 21m Buy It Now for only: $17.95

8 Packs of Sure Pak MRE (Meals Ready to Eat) Camping Military Survival Boating $8.50 (4 Bids) Time Remaining: 1d 5h 14m

8 Packs of Sure Pak MRE (Meals Ready to Eat) Camping Military Survival Boating $2.25 (2 Bids) Time Remaining: 3d 5h 14m

Case of 6 MRE Military (Meal Ready to Eat) Entrees Variety Pack $21.99 Time Remaining: 11d 18h 47m Buy It Now for only: $21.99

Case of 12 MRE-Star MREs, Military Meals Ready to Eat $71.95 Time Remaining: 1d 17h 22m Buy It Now for only: $79.99

3 Military MRE Meals (4) $17.95 Time Remaining: 2d 4h 30m Buy It Now for only: $17.95

Two Military MRE-Inspection 06/2013, Meals Ready to Eat, Fresh! Case A and B $115.00 Time Remaining: 2d 17h 40m

U.S. Military mre's 4 unopened, no reserve w/heating elements inside each one $22.50 (12 Bids) Time Remaining: 1d 4h 51m

6 CASES 72 Meals MREs MRE Ready Eat Genuine Survival Military Rations 2013 BONUS $599.99 Time Remaining: 22d 21h 9m Buy It Now for only: $599.99

Military MRE Meal Ready to Eat Case Menu 13-24 Box B (ACTUAL SHIP COSTS NOT $50) $22.71 (3 Bids) Time Remaining: 1d 8h 38m

12 Cases Ready to Eat 144 MRE Genuine Military Meal Camping Survival 2013 FRESH $1,159.99 Time Remaining: 11d 11h 42m Buy It Now for only: $1,159.99

1 Case (16 Meals Ready to Eat) Sure Pak 12 MRE Camping Military Survival Boating $26.00 (3 Bids) Time Remaining: 1d 5h 14m

Real Military MREs case B menu (13-24), 9-2013, 100% Fresh, Free Shipping!!!! $75.00 Time Remaining: 4d 6h 4m

Sure-Pak Genuine GI Military MRE Meals (12 Meals) $109.99 Time Remaining: 5d 13h 51m Buy It Now for only: $109.99

1 Case (16 Meals Ready to Eat) Sure Pak 12 MRE Camping Military Survival Boating $20.00 (8 Bids) Time Remaining: 3d 5h 14m

1 Case (16 Meals Ready to Eat) Sure Pak 12 MRE Camping Military Survival $65.00 Time Remaining: 20d 8h 17m Buy It Now for only: $65.00

One Military MRE-Inspection 04/2012, Meals Ready to Eat, Fresh! Case B $42.41 (2 Bids) Time Remaining: 5d 17h 39m

HUGE lot of MREs Hot Beverage Bags resealable bags SURVIVAL CAMPING MILITARY MRE $8.99 Time Remaining: 2d 18h 28m

US MILITARY MRE MEAL MENU 12 VEGGIE BURGER COMPLETE MEAL READY TO EAT NEW $6.95 Time Remaining: 2d 13h 2m Buy It Now for only: $6.95

REAL Military MREs, Sealed case A, 7-2013, 100% Fresh, Free Shipping!!!! $75.00 Time Remaining: 4d 5h 59m

2 CASE 24 Meals MREs MRE Ready Eat Genuine Survival Military Rations 2013 BONUS $208.99 Time Remaining: 16d 18h 1m Buy It Now for only: $208.99

4 Packs of Sure Pak MRE (Meals Ready to Eat) Camping Military Survival Boating $0.99 (1 Bid) Time Remaining: 2d 5h 14m

MREs Genuine Military Issue Four Unopened Packs $16.00 Time Remaining: 2d 19h 45m

MRE, (6) BACON CHEDDAR SANDWICH ISSUED TO US MILITARY MARINES INS.2015 $20.00 Time Remaining: 1d 2h 15m Buy It Now for only: $20.00

12 Military MRE Entrees, Meals Ready to Eat, MREs, Case of Entrees $46.95 Time Remaining: 3d 17h 50m Buy It Now for only: $52.95

1 CASE 12 Meals MRE Ready Camping Genuine Survival Military Rations 2013 BONUS $104.99 Time Remaining: 19d 17h 34m Buy It Now for only: $104.99

Real Military MREs, Case A & B, 100% Fresh, 5-2013, Free Shipping!!! $150.00 Time Remaining: 4d 6h 8m

8 Packs of Sure Pak MRE (Meals Ready to Eat) Camping Military Survival Boating $1.26 (2 Bids) Time Remaining: 2d 5h 14m

US Military MRE Menu 2 Pork Rib Complete Meal Ready to Eat-Brand New $9.99 Time Remaining: 20d 38m Buy It Now for only: $9.99

4 Packs of Sure Pak MRE (Meals Ready to Eat) Camping Military Survival Boating $0.99 Time Remaining: 3d 5h 14m

Military Outdoor Emergency Rice Food Combat C Ration MRE Beef Powder Bibimbap ① $6.99 Time Remaining: 13d 8h 43m Buy It Now for only: $6.99

Two Military MRE-Inspection 03/2012, Meals Ready to Eat, Fresh! Case A and B $100.00 (1 Bid) Time Remaining: 3d 20h 34m

3 Military MRE's meal ready to eat chicken beef pork chili sealed $15.50 Time Remaining: 18h 5m

MRE, MEAL READY to EAT, w/ MILITARY HTR 2016 INSPECT DATE FRESH! MILITARY MRE ! $70.00 Time Remaining: 29d 21h 44m Buy It Now for only: $70.00

Unopened Military Case B MRE meals 13-24 $45.00 Time Remaining: 2d 18h 11m

MREs have often been compared with freeze dried food as well since it is used by the government to provide for service members as well along with the disaster relief efforts.  Freeze dried food pouches and cans do have the advantage of having longer shelf life than MRE meals.  With the Mountain House freeze dried food, they purport to last up to 25 years in the right storage conditions.  Freeze dried food is easy to consume as well.  All you have to do is add water and it comes out tasting very much like the original menu.  You can also find pretty extensive menus for Mountain House freeze dried food.  As far as cost goes, freeze dried food costs less than an individual MRE meal.

If you are looking for the 2009 military MRE menu, you can find it below:

01  Chili with Beans
02  Pork Rib
03  Beef Ravioli
04  Maple Sausage
05  Chicken Breast
06  Chicken w/Noodles
07  Brisket Entree
08  Meatballs with Marinara
09  Beef Stew
10  Chili & Macaroni
11  Vegetable Lasagna
12  Veggie Burger with BBQ Sauce
13  Cheese Tortellini
14  Spicy Penne Pasta
15  Beef Enchilada
16  Chicken Fajita
17  Sloppy Joe
18  Beef Patty
19  Pot Roast with Vegetables
20  Spaghetti with Meat Sauce
21  Tuna
22  Chicken with Dumplings
23  Chicken Pesto & Pasta
24  Buffalo Chicken