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.

Wise Emergency Meals, Freeze Dried Food - 56 Servings    US $119.95

MREs---2012--6 Cases--72 Meals--The REAL DEAL--FREE SHIPPING East of MISS .River    US $405.99

MRE - MILITARY MEAL #15 BEEF ENCHILADA    US $4.95

3 Military MRE Meals (8)    US $16.95

3 Military MRE Meals (9)    US $16.95

3 Military MRE Meals (10)    US $16.95

3 Military MRE Meals (11)    US $16.95

3 MRE MEALS MENU # 14,17,15    US $9.95

MRE - MILITARY MEAL #14 (VEGETARIAN) VEGTABLE    US $4.95

11 Complete MRE (Meal Ready To Eat) MREs Military Army MRE    US $55.00

new mre 12 meals    US $37.00

MRE Box Menu "A" Sealed Ready To Eat mres survival food    US $75.99

MRE Box Menu "B" Sealed Ready To Eat mres survival food    US $55.99

(2) Military "MRE" Meals    US $64.00

Emergency Survival Backpack Large Bug Out Bag 2 weeks Wise Food Kit MRE 336 hour    US $180.00

Deluxe Emergency Survival Backpack Large Bug Out Bag 2 weeks Wise Food Kit MRE    US $221.00

336 HR Emergency Survival Backpack Large Bug Out Bag 2 weeks Wise Food Kit MRE    US $168.00

2 boxes MRE Star Brand new    US $90.00

4 boxes MRE Star Brand new    US $165.00

MRE Box Menu "A" Sealed Ready To Eat individual year of 2013    US $55.99

2 Cases 24 Meals Fresh Genuine Military Ready to Eat MRE Menu 2013 + Bonus MEAL    US $199.99

12 Cases 144 Meal MRE Rations Military 2013 FRESHEST w/ Bonus Meals Fast Ship    US $1,059.99

2 case's of MRE'a Test Date 9/2013 GOOD THROUGH 2021    US $90.03

3 MRE Military (Meal Ready to Eat) Entrees Variety Pack; Foreign Travel, Hiking.    US $14.99

MRE Box Menu "A" Sealed Ready To Eat depend on stored temperature    US $55.99

5 ~ US MILITARY MRE MEALS READY TO EAT ARMY NAVY FOOD HIKING    US $14.99

5 MRE Military (Meal Ready to Eat) Breakfast Variety Pack; Foreign Travel Hiking    US $19.99

MILITARY MRE CHEESE TORTELLINI TOMATO SAUCE VEGETARIAN    US $3.00

4 MREs Military Menu 11 12 15 19 NEW IN PACKAGES Army Meals NIP Beef Lot    US $54.99

Military MRE LRP Long Range Patrol Lot 1    US $13.50

Military MRE LRP Long Range Patrol Lot 2    US $39.99

Military MRE LRP Long Range Patrol Lot 3    US $12.99

Military MRE LRP Long Range Patrol Lot 4    US $14.99

2 FACTORY SEALED MILITARY MRE CASES "A&B" 8/2013 CURRENT ISSUE FRESHEST ON EBAY    US $149.95

MRE 6 MILITARY FRESH A PACK MEALS EXP/ 2/14    US $25.00

12 Military MRE Entrees, Meals Ready to Eat, MREs Case    US $50.95

Wise Emergency Meals, Freeze Dried Food - 84 Servings    US $165.95

MRE Entrees Camping Survival Food, Yellow & Wild Rice    US $2.95

MRE Snack Dessert Camping Survival Food, Pears    US $2.95

MRE Snack Dessert Camping Survival Food, Spiced Apple    US $2.95

MRE Snack Dessert Camping Survival Food, Fig Bar    US $1.99

Comprehensive Backpacking/Survival Kit    US $399.99

Intermediate Survival Kit    US $199.99

MRE MILITARY MEAL READY TO EAT SEASONED BEEF PATY, BEEF PATTY GRILLED,MAC & CHEE    US $5.50

Long Term Food Wise Food 56 Servings MRE Food Storage    US $99.00

MRE MILITARY MEAL READY TO EAT LOT SLOPPY JOE, VEGETABLE PATTY IN BBQ SAUCE    US $1.29

MRE MEALS MENU # 11,17,19    US $20.00

MRE MEALS MENU # 13, 14, 16    US $18.95

Long Term Food Wise Food 60 Servings MRE Food Storage    US $104.00

Military MRE lot, Meals Ready to Eat, MREs 07/2013 Case FRESH!! 1    US $20.00

Military MRE lot, Meals Ready to Eat, MREs 07/2013 Case FRESH!! 2    US $20.00

MILITARY MRE MRE'S SIDE RASPBERRY APPLESAUCE    US $2.00

MRE dinner THAI Chicken mre dinner full sealed Meal Ready to Eat package    US $1.99

MRE dinner GRILLED Chicken mre dinner full sealed Meal Ready to Eat package    US $1.99

Meals Ready To Eat~MRE's~BEEF ENTRES~FRESH~Emergency Survival Food~Camping,Hike    US $29.99

lot of 6 assorted MRE's backpacking camping food freeze dried new FREE SHIPPING    US $30.92

MRE MRE'S SIDE ITEM MASHED POTATOES SURVIVAL EMERGENCY FOOD CAMPING    US $2.00

MILITARY MRE MRE'S CHICKEN NOODLES & VEGETABLES ENTREE    US $3.00

MILITARY MRE MRE'S DESSERT BERRY COBBLER CAMPING SURVIVAL EMERGENCY MEAL FOOD    US $2.00

MILITARY MRE MRE'S ENTREE SLOPPY JOE FILLING    US $3.00

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

U.S. military MREs are actually not supposed to be sold for commercial purposes.  However, this doesn’t stop sales of cases of MRE on eBay.  If you have no problem with buying military MRE, things you want to look out for are the packing and inspection date and the menu offered.  You also have to be aware that since this sale is prohibited by the U.S. government, you’ll have little recourse in legal actions should you find something wrong with your MRE.  In other words, buyer beware.  Since the military MRE comes to you second hand, you also do not have any idea how it was stored and what temperature conditions it was subjected to.  On the other hand, if you do get your hands on a case of genuine military MRE, it is a bigger meal than the civilian version and there’s more variety in the case as well.  Military MREs are also less expensive than civilian MREs.

Meal Ready to Eat Individual Menu #6 Frankfurters and Beans X 2    US $1.25

Wise freeze dried dehydrated survival food 1080 serving    US $1,995.00

Wise foods long term emergency survival foods 720 serv    US $1,295.00

MRE - MILITARY MEAL #15 BEEF ENCHILADA    US $4.95

3 Military MRE Meals (8)    US $16.95

3 Military MRE Meals (9)    US $16.95

3 Military MRE Meals (10)    US $16.95

3 Military MRE Meals (11)    US $16.95

3 MRE MEALS MENU # 14,17,15    US $9.95

MRE - MILITARY MEAL #14 (VEGETARIAN) VEGTABLE    US $4.95

11 Complete MRE (Meal Ready To Eat) MREs Military Army MRE    US $55.00

new mre 12 meals    US $37.00

2 boxes MRE Star Brand new    US $90.00

4 boxes MRE Star Brand new    US $165.00

2 Cases 24 Meals Fresh Genuine Military Ready to Eat MRE Menu 2013 + Bonus MEAL    US $199.99

3 MRE Military (Meal Ready to Eat) Entrees Variety Pack; Foreign Travel, Hiking.    US $14.99

Wise Company Emergency Food Supply 56 Servings FREE OVERNIGHT SHIPPING!!!!!    US $119.99

5 ~ US MILITARY MRE MEALS READY TO EAT ARMY NAVY FOOD HIKING    US $14.99

3 Individual MRE Breakfast Variety Pack Lot; Emergency Survival Food    US $12.00

**7 Day Supply MRE Drink Mixes; Fruit Punch, Strawberry, Lemonade, etc.....    US $8.99

7 Day Supply of MRE (Meal Ready to Eat) Dinner Entrees; Hiking, Camping, Hunting    US $26.00

7 Day Supply of MRE (Meal Ready to Eat) Peanut Butter Condiment Packs    US $6.99

7 Day Supply of MRE (Meal Ready to Eat) Breakfast Variety Pack Lot; Emergency    US $21.00

7 Day Supply of MRE (Meal Ready to Eat) Cheese Spread Condiment Pack    US $7.99

7 Day Supply of MRE Dinner Entrees; Emergency Survival Fill Your Bug Out Bag!!!    US $26.00

5 MRE Military (Meal Ready to Eat) Breakfast Variety Pack; Foreign Travel Hiking    US $19.99

Emergency Food 3600-Calorie bars 2Month Supply (60 servings 3x400cal/per/day)    US $155.00

MRE Meals Ready to Eat You Choose Your Meal from Cases A & B Menus 1-24    US $32.00

Emergency Survival Food Supply 275 Servings 20 Yr Exp!    US $147.50

MOUNTAIN HOUSE PILOT CRACKERS BREAD #10 CAN EMERGENCY FREEZE DRIED FOOD    US $19.94

MOUNTAIN HOUSE PILOT CRACKERS BREAD 6 #10 CANS EMERGENCY FREEZE DRIED FOOD    US $113.99

Emergency Food Supply Bucket Kit - 275 Servings 20Yrs    US $159.95

Scrambled Egg 2-Pack long term food storage emergency survival camp supplies    US $58.47

Emergency Food Supply Bucket Kit - 200 Servings ★ 20Yrs    US $114.95

12 Military MRE Entrees, Meals Ready to Eat, MREs Case    US $50.95

MRE Entrees Camping Survival Food, Yellow & Wild Rice    US $2.95

MRE Snack Dessert Camping Survival Food, Pears    US $2.95

MRE Snack Dessert Camping Survival Food, Spiced Apple    US $2.95

YEAR Supply Mountain House /Richmoor /Alpine Aire /Natural High - POUCHES 25%OFF    US $4,319.14

MRE Snack Dessert Camping Survival Food, Fig Bar    US $1.99

EMERGENCY DISATER SURVIVAL VEGETARIAN FOOD 275 SERVINGS    US $120.99

MRE MILITARY MEAL READY TO EAT SEASONED BEEF PATY, BEEF PATTY GRILLED,MAC & CHEE    US $5.50

Long Term Food Wise Food 56 Servings MRE Food Storage    US $99.00

Long Term Food Wise Food 4320 Servings MRE Food Storage+ 1/4 oz. Gold coin    US $6,495.00

Long Term Food Wise Food 240 Servings MRE Food Storage    US $420.00

Long Term Food Wise Food 2160 Servings MRE Food Storage+ 5 oz. silver coin    US $3,695.00

Long Term Food Wise Food 1080 Servings MRE Food Storage+ 120=1200 sevings    US $1,995.00

Long Term Food Wise Food 2880 Servings MRE Food Storage+ 5 oz. silver coin    US $4,350.00

Long Term Food Wise Food 720 Servings MRE Food Storage+ 1 oz. Silver Ten Command    US $1,295.00

Long Term Food Wise Food 1440 Servings MRE Food Storage+ 120=1560 servings    US $2,395.00

MRE MILITARY MEAL READY TO EAT LOT SLOPPY JOE, VEGETABLE PATTY IN BBQ SAUCE    US $1.29

MRE MEALS MENU # 11,17,19    US $20.00

MRE MEALS MENU # 13, 14, 16    US $18.95

7 Day Supply of MRE (Meal Ready to Eat) Dinner Entrees; Fill Your Bug Out Bag!!!    US $26.00

7 Day Supply of MRE (Meal Ready to Eat) Breakfast Variety Pack Lot    US $21.00

***Premium 7 Day Supply of MRE (Meal Ready to Eat) Drink Mixes;Shakes, Cappucino    US $12.99

Long Term Food Wise Food 60 Servings MRE Food Storage    US $104.00

20 CASES MEAT LOVER PKG MOUNTAIN HOUSE 132 PAKS    US $779.95

Military MRE lot, Meals Ready to Eat, MREs 07/2013 Case FRESH!! 1    US $20.00

Military MRE lot, Meals Ready to Eat, MREs 07/2013 Case FRESH!! 2    US $20.00

The manufacturers of civilian meals ready to eat are listening to the public demands for more variety in the menus.  Each year, a greater selection emerges.  There are five main brands of civilian food rations and they include:  Ameriqual aPack, Sopakco Sure-Pak 12, Wornick Eversafe, Menu C, MREStar.  The packaging and contents of these companies are quite similar to the military version as the first three companies listed actually produce MREs for the military.  If you are buying civilian MREs, the chances are it won’t be left in the scorching desert sun and will be “fresher” when you get it.   You can then properly store it for your own emergency preparation without worries if it will go bad.

Whichever MRE meals you choose, be it military or civilian, know that you are doing the right thing in being prepared for any disaster.