Chemistry Concepts Class learns about MREs

On Thursday, the Chemistry Concepts Class, taught by Ellen Kelm, had a special demonstration on Meals Ready to Eat from SFC Jeff Reisdorfer, Minnesota Army National Guard, Marshall, MN.

With eighteen students gathered around the tables in the science laboratory, Reisdorfer explained that he had brought ready to eat meals that the class was going to heat and eat.

The heaters in these meals, when combined with a small amount of liquid, create a gas that warms the food packages, Reisdorfer stated. The flameless ration heaters are made from powdered food grade iron, magnesium, and sodium.

Reisdorfer cautioned the students on a number of things concerning the heaters including that the vapors released by an activated heater contains hydrogen, a flammable gas that can displace oxygen. He also cautioned about how hot the heater bag and the MRE pouch would be, and instructed the students to very carefully remove the MRE pouch from the bag.

With these instructions he then taught the student about MREs and their many purposes. MREs are used for the military, space program,

back packers and hikers, and a variety of other recreational uses, Reisdorfer stated.

Historically, the military has had MREs in every form of the military going back to the Civil War. There was a period of time where taste wasnt brought into play, but that is not the case now.

MREs were handed to each of six teams of students as Reisdorfer explained the process of activating the heaters.

Tear off the top of the bag. Place the MRE pouch in the bag with the heater.

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Chemistry Concepts Class learns about MREs