Vietnam War U.S. Army MCI - Meal, Combat, Individual

MCI – Meal, Combat, Individual Vietnam War Era Reproduction Ration | Reusable & Refillable We finally made the MCI! After a challenging development process, Hero Rations is excited to offer our reproduction of the Meal, Combat, Individual (MCI) — one of the most recognizable American field rations of the Vietnam War era. To create a version representative of the MCI throughout the Vietnam War period, we based our reproduction primarily on original 1960–1965 examples from our own collection. We are starting with several menu combinations, with additional menus and individual components planned for the future. Reusable 2.0 Packaging Like our other reusable Hero Rations, the MCI is designed to be enjoyed, displayed, and refilled for future use. Our reproduction cans utilize our Reusable 2.0 can design, allowing the contents to be removed and replaced while maintaining the appearance of a period ration. Individual refill components are also available separately, making it easy to rebuild your ration after use. This makes the MCI an excellent option for collectors, reenactors, living-history displays, educational programs, or anyone who simply wants to experience something similar to what American servicemen ate during the Vietnam War. What's Inside? Our entrée cans feature freeze-dried foods selected to represent the original MCI menu components. Simply add the appropriate amount of water to the food to rehydrate and prepare. The B Units are fully stocked with ready to eat contents like the Peanut Butter in tin, Jam, crackers, cookies, beverage powder. Just like originals. We even have the corrected white corrugated paper used to protect the contents inside. The accessory packets are fully stocked in a mylar foil envelope. Not only is the packet itself reusable, many of the contents inside are as well. Or easy to refill with simple grocery items of your choice. Bread and cake components are different. Depending on the selected menu, these may contain fresh white bread, prepackaged pound cake, or fruit cake. Because these are not intended to be long-term survival foods, they have a considerably shorter shelf life. Expiration/best-by information we have marked on the applicable cans. The good news is that these components are extremely easy to refill yourself. For example, after eating the White Bread component, simply clean the reusable can. Stack several slices of ordinary store-bought white bread, then press the open can down through the stack like a cutter. This creates a small loaf shaped perfectly for the can. Place it inside, reinstall the reusable lid, and you have a freshly refilled White Bread component. Depending on the bread used and storage conditions, expect a relatively short shelf life of approximately a couple of weeks and always follow the bread manufacturer's storage and freshness guidance. Built to Be Used Again One of our biggest goals with the Hero Rations reusable line is to make historical rations that don't have to become a one-time experience. Eat it. Clean it. Refill it. Display it. Take it to your next event and do it again. The MCI was a particularly challenging ration for us to reproduce, and we're excited to finally add it to the Hero Rations lineup. Our initial menu selection is only the beginning — additional MCI menus and refill components will be added over time. Please Note: Hero Rations products are modern reproductions inspired by historical military rations and packaging. They are not original U.S. Government-issued rations. Food contents are modern products selected to recreate the experience and appearance of the original ration. Shelf life varies by component, particularly fresh bread and cake products. Always refer to the expiration/best-by information provided with your ration. Due to state and local law and online selling platform restrictions we do NOT include tobacco products. We do include the empty historically accurate packaging. The MCI cigarette brands we have are Marlboro, Camel, Cavalier, and Chesterfield. They are easy to open and fill with your own cigarettes if you chose to.