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