Food and Rations.

A Ratpack was made for a troop's survival for the entire day in the bush or while on patrol. They were numbered 1 to 5 and the number on the box reflected a particular combination of contents. During the mid-1980s there were three tins in a ratpack, however this was changed to 2 larger tins closer to 1990 when the vegetables were incorporated into one of the meat tins. A vigorous trade was done as soon as Ratpacks had been distributed, but one would usually find that Dog Biscuits would be discarded immediately. All food items were pre-cooked, although they did always taste better heated. The rest of the items such as tea and coffee would be mixed with boiling water in your firebucket (like a mug). Colddrink and milkshake was mixed in a plastic sachet akin to an "FL" or as the cultured would say - a condom. And there was always the risk that it would burst ! There was also at one stage a small can opener in the ratpack, but most troops either brought their own can opener with, or used the rifle's bipod to cut a hole in tins.

One problem that was experienced on the Border was that quite often the Ratpacks had passed their expiry date. But you didn't complain as there would be no alternative - other than starving.

The fruit bars and the packet of raisins were sometimes interchangeable though. The "Super C" sweets could also be made into a refreshing colddrink by dissolving them in water. If there were any additional flavours found in any of the above ratpacks, please let us know by contacting the WebMaster.

Copyright © 2001 S. Le Roux AND OpsMedic. All rights reserved.