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For trainees, first taste of basic doesn't disappoint

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Victoriya Tarakanova
  • 934th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
MINNEAPOLIS-ST. PAUL AIR RESERVE STATION, Minn. --  

Nine 934th Airlift Wing trainees assigned to the 934th Development & Training Flight had their first meals ready-to-eat to prepare for basic training on March 5, 2023.

The MRE is a self-contained individual United States military ration and it is intended for use by American service members in combat or field conditions where food is unavailable.

Trainee Tam Tran, 934th Airlift Wing Development and Training Flight trainee, inspects the contents of his meal ready-to-eat at the D&TF building at the Minneapolis-St. Paul Air Reserve Station, Minnesota, March 5, 2023. After completing his initial entry training, Tran will join the 934th Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Victoriya Tarakanova)

Trainee Tam Tran, 934th Airlift Wing Development and Training Flight trainee, inspects the contents of his meal ready-to-eat at the D&TF building at the Minneapolis-St. Paul Air Reserve Station, Minnesota, March 5, 2023. After completing his initial entry training, Tran will join the 934th Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Victoriya Tarakanova)
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The trainees were part of the 934 AW D&TF, a program that prepares members of the Air Force Reserve for basic military training. Trainees stay in the D&TF program for 3-4 months on average, attending monthly training on base during unit training assembly weekends until their “ship date” when they leave for BMT. The training focuses on drill and ceremony, customs and courtesies, and physical fitness, all of which are evaluated at BMT.

“It will help prepare them for when they go to PACER FORGE down at BMT because they have to get issued MREs, so they can see exactly what they’re like,” said Tech. Sgt. Carl Bostic, 934 AW D&TF coordinator. “That way, they know how to heat them up and everything.”

Having heard stories about MREs before trying them, trainees were pleasantly surprised by the taste and variety of the MRE contents.

“I thought it was going to be way worse,” said Trainee Sawyer Klotzbuecher. “It just tastes like canned meatballs; it wasn’t too bad.”

Some trainees were especially impressed, even asking to eat the unfinished components of others’ snacks.

“This is some great food,” said Trainee Tam Tran. “I could eat this for the rest of my life.”

An MRE package contains everything needed: utensils, napkins, and a heating unit that allows meals to be heated. The quality and intent behind MREs also were noticed by the trainees.

Trainee Dorcas Ayanladun, 934th Airlift Wing Development and Training Flight trainee, selects a meal ready-to-eat from a pile on the floor of the D&TF building at the Minneapolis-St. Paul Air Reserve Station, Minnesota, March 5, 2023. Dorcas enlisted to work in personnel management after completing her initial entry training. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Victoriya Tarakanova)

For trainees, first taste of basic doesn't disappoint

Trainee Dorcas Ayanladun, 934th Airlift Wing Development and Training Flight trainee, selects a meal ready-to-eat from a pile on the floor of the D&TF building at the Minneapolis-St. Paul Air Reserve Station, Minnesota, March 5, 2023. Dorcas enlisted to work in personnel management after completing her initial entry training. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Victoriya Tarakanova)
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Tech. Sgt. Carl Bostic, 934 Airlift Wing Development and Training Flight coordinator, checks the seal on a flameless ration heater included in all meals-ready-to-eat outside of the D&TF building at the Minneapolis-St. Paul Air Reserve Station, Minnesota, March 5, 2023. Bostic is in charge of training for all D&TF members. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Victoriya Tarakanova)

For trainees, first taste of basic doesn't disappoint

Tech. Sgt. Carl Bostic, 934 Airlift Wing Development and Training Flight coordinator, checks the seal on a flameless ration heater included in all meals-ready-to-eat outside of the D&TF building at the Minneapolis-St. Paul Air Reserve Station, Minnesota, March 5, 2023. Bostic is in charge of training for all D&TF members. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Victoriya Tarakanova)
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Trainee Rachel Peterson, 934th Airlift Wing Development and Training Flight trainee, prepares to pour water into a portable flameless ration heater in her meal ready-to-eat at the D&TF building at the Minneapolis-St. Paul Air Reserve Station, Minnesota, March 5, 2023. Peterson said she enjoyed the experience of heating, unpacking, and eating an MRE for the first time. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Victoriya Tarakanova)

For trainees, first taste of basic doesn't disappoint

Trainee Rachel Peterson, 934th Airlift Wing Development and Training Flight trainee, prepares to pour water into a portable flameless ration heater in her meal ready-to-eat at the D&TF building at the Minneapolis-St. Paul Air Reserve Station, Minnesota, March 5, 2023. Peterson said she enjoyed the experience of heating, unpacking, and eating an MRE for the first time. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Victoriya Tarakanova)
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“It costs a lot to make this type of food,” Tran said. “Look at the packaging and everything that goes into it. It’s designed to last for a long time. There’s a lot of thought that goes into it.”

The military constantly seeks feedback to adjust MRE menus and ingredients to make MREs more palatable to service members and match ever-changing trends in popular tastes. The most recent MRE menu contains 24 different main courses with various sides and desserts to match.

“There’s a lot of food,” said Trainee Keevan Jones. “There’s a lot of variety.”