The Unitized Group Ration (UGR) is a United States military ration used by the United States Armed Forces and Department of Defense (DoD). It is intended to sustain groups of American service members with access to a field kitchen, serving as a field ration and a garrison ration.[1] It is the modern successor to several older alphabetized rations—namely the A-ration, B-ration, and T-ration—combining them under a single unified system.[2] UGRs are designed to meet the Military Daily Recommended Allowance when averaged over a 5 to 10 day period, with each meal providing between 1,300 and 1,450 kcal.[3]
The UGR was introduced in 1999, and is currently known to be used by the U.S. Army, U.S. Marine Corps, U.S. Air Force, and National Guard.[4] The U.S. Navy also reportedly uses the UGR for disembarked operations, using the Navy Standard Core Menu (NSCM) aboard naval vessels.[5]
The UGR's primary field and combat equivalent is the better-known Meal, Ready-to-Eat (MRE), with the First Strike Ration (FSR), Long Range Patrol (LRP), and Meal, Cold Weather (MCW) serving as specialized field equivalents.[6] [7]
Prior to the UGR's implementation, the U.S. military had several different types of rations used to feed service members in the rear or out of combat. Among them were the A-ration, consisting of fresh, refrigerated, or frozen food prepared in a kitchen and served in a mess, dining facility, or elsewhere; the B-ration, consisting of packaged, preserved foods prepared in a field kitchen; and the T-ration, a semi-perishable meal packaged, heated, and served in a tray pack similar to frozen meals; among others.[8] [9]
However, this created issues for cooks, who "had to order an average of 34 separate items for each meal, and could only hope that they arrived when needed", forcing them to manage logistics and administrative functions instead of solely food preparation. Around 1995, the U.S. military launched a modernization program to resolve this issue while also increasing the quality and decreasing the cost of existing rations. Research was headed by the U.S. Army Natick Soldier Research, Development and Engineering Center and the U.S. Army Quartermaster Center and School. In an effort to simplify logistics and ensure all necessary ingredients were provided, the UGR was created in 1999, combining elements and offerings of the A-ration, B-ration, T-ration, and commercial items.
The UGR was initially trialed with the Army, with their first shipments received around 2000; the Air Force, Marine Corps, and Navy also began receiving UGRs at unspecified dates. The UGR-E was introduced in 2006. The UGR-B was phased out and replaced by the mostly similar UGR-M at an unspecified date.
As of 2023, four types of Unitized Group Rations exist.[10]
The Unitized Group Ration – Heat & Serve (UGR-H&S) is the successor to the T-ration, and consists of precooked, shelf-stable tray pack entrées. The UGR-H&S is hermetically sealed can be prepared using a tray ration heater or by immersing it in boiling water, ready to serve in 30 to 45 minutes. The UGR-H&S has an offering of 5 breakfast menus and 10 lunch/dinner menus; each meal provides an average of 1,450 kcal. Each UGR-H&S module contains 50 meals, with each pallet holding 400 meals. UGR-H&S modules have a minimum shelf life of 18 months at 80 °F (26.6 °C).[11] [12]
The Unitized Group Ration – A (UGR-A) is the successor to the A-ration, and consists of perishable entrées intended to be prepared in a field kitchen. The UGR-A is the only UGR with frozen food, and thus requires refrigeration to store and prepare. The UGR-A has an offering of 7 breakfast menus and 14 lunch/dinner menus; each meal provides an average of 1,450 kcal. Each UGR-A module contains 50 meals, with each pallet holding 600 meals. UGR-A modules have a minimum shelf life of 9 months outside the contiguous U.S. and 3 months within the contiguous U.S., at 80 °F (26.6 °C) for semi-perishable modules and 0 °F (-17.7 °C) for perishable modules.[13]
The Unitized Group Ration – A, Short Order (UGR-A SO) consists of meals intended to supplement the UGR-A and expand available food options or feed larger groups, especially where alternate dining facilities or existing meal options are unavailable. Most UGR-A SO meals are based on fast food, pub food, and finger food. The UGR-A SO has the same kilocalorie amount, storage, and minimum shelf life as the regular UGR-A.
The Unitized Group Ration – M (UGR-M), formerly the Unitized Group Ration – B (UGR-B), is the successor to the B-ration, and consists of packaged and dehydrated unprepared food intended to be assembled and prepared in a field kitchen. Designed to suit the needs of the U.S. Marine Corps, each UGR-M comes with ingredients that are primarily tailored toward specific recipes but could potentially be used to prepare other dishes. The UGR-M has an offering of 7 breakfast menus and 14 lunch/dinner menus; each meal provides an average of 1,300 kcal. Each UGR-M module contains 50 meals, with each pallet holding 400 meals. UGR-M modules have a minimum shelf life of 18 months at 80 °F (26.6 °C).[14]
The Unitized Group Ration – Express (UGR-E or UGR-Express), nicknamed the "kitchen in a carton", consists of meals in self-heating steam table trays based on the UGR-H&S meal offerings. The UGR-E is designed to provide hot meals where feeding a group with hot food would otherwise be unfeasible; unlike other UGRs, it uses a flameless ration heater and does not require a separate field kitchen. The UGR-E begins heating with the pull of a tab, and can fully heat a meal within 30 to 45 minutes. The UGR-E has an offering of 4 breakfast menus, 8 lunch/dinner menus, and 1 holiday menu; each meal provides an average of 1,300 kcal. Each UGR-E module contains 18 meals, with each pallet holding 400 meals. UGR-E modules have a minimum shelf life of 18 months at 80 °F (26.6 °C).[15] [16]
The UGR comes in two menu variations: breakfast and lunch/dinner. Menus are intended to be cycled through regularly. They include both standard American cuisine and diverse cuisines.[17] The UGR-E also has a unique holiday menu variant.[18]
UGR modules come with mandatory and optional meal supplements—namely UHT milk, cereal, bread, fruits, vegetables, salads, drink mixes, and condiments—as well as eating utensils, kitchen utensils, disposable mess trays, cups, napkins, and trash bags.
The menus below are adapted from lists available on the website of the Defense Logistics Agency (DLA). UGR menus are regularly modified to improve their variety, nutrition, and efficiency. As the DLA does not regularly publish UGR menus, the lists below use the 2020 menu for the UGR-H&S,<ref name=":0" /> 2023 menu for the UGR-A, 2014 menu for the UGR-M, and 2021 menu for the UGR-E.
Note that the lists below do not include milk, bread, fruit, or salad supplements, nor items standard to most UGRs such as regular coffee and hot sauce.
| Breakfast 1 | Egg mix, pork sausage links in brine, beef and potatoes in cream gravy | Apple spice breakfast cake, apple dessert | Salsa or Picante sauce, grape jelly, grape juice | |
| Breakfast 2 | Egg mix, turkey sausage patties in brine, corned beef hash | Apple cinnamon oatmeal, blueberry pastry | Ketchup, strawberry jelly, orange juice | |
| Breakfast 3 | Egg mix, beef and potatoes in cream gravy, bacon | Breakfast cake with maple syrup, blueberry dessert | Ketchup, grape jelly, grape juice | |
| Breakfast 4 | Turkey sausage skillet, corned beef hash | Golden harvest cake with icing, frosted chocolate chip pastry | Ketchup, strawberry jelly, orange juice | |
| Breakfast 5 | Egg mix, turkey sausage patties in brine, beef fajita filling, tortillas | Apple cinnamon oatmeal, carrot cake with icing | Salsa or Picante sauce, grape jelly, grape juice | |
| Lunch/Dinner 1 | Chicken chili, white rice, corn | Fruit cocktail, carrot cake with icing | ||
| Lunch/Dinner 2 | Spaghetti and meatballs, green beans | Pan-coated chocolate disks, white chocolate chip cookies with cranberries, pears | ||
| Lunch/Dinner 3 | Burgundy beef stew, brown rice and wild rice pilaf, peas and carrots | Peanut butter cookies with chocolate chips, peaches | ||
| Lunch/Dinner 4 | Buffalo chicken strips in sauce, pulled pork, tortillas, brown rice, green beans | Red velvet cake with icing | ||
| Lunch/Dinner 5 | Chicken breast with gravy, brown rice and wild rice pilaf, mixed vegetables | White chocolate chip cookies with cranberries, peaches, jalapeño cashews | Cranberry sauce | |
| Lunch/Dinner 6 | Beef fajita filling, tortillas, white rice, peas and carrots | Yellow cake with icing | Salsa or Picante sauce, jalapeño cheese spread | |
| Lunch/Dinner 7 | Turkey cutlets in gravy, sweet potato casserole, mashed potatoes with gravy, green beans | Apple dessert, blueberry pastry | Cranberry sauce | |
| Lunch/Dinner 8 | Chili, white rice, carrots | Pan-coated chocolate disks, peanut butter cookies with chocolate chips, pears | ||
| Lunch/Dinner 9 | Chicken strips in broth, mashed potatoes with gravy, corn, teriyaki meat stick | Chocolate cherry cake with cherry toppings, pears | Barbecue sauce | |
| Lunch/Dinner 10 | Cajun-style diced chicken breast with andouille chicken sausage in sauce, brown rice, mixed vegetables | Pan-coated peanut butter disks, white chocolate chip cookies with cranberries, fruit cocktail |
| Breakfast 1 | Turkey bacon, chicken burrito | Date walnut breakfast cake, toaster pastry, oatmeal | Orange juice | |
| Breakfast 2 | Cheese omelet, vegetable sausage patties, bacon | French toast apple bake, peanut butter chocolate bar | Peanut butter, grape jelly, apple juice | |
| Breakfast 3 | Steak, French toast taquito | Mixed berry muffin | All-purpose sauce, fruit punch | |
| Breakfast 4 | Chicken sausage patty, breakfast bowl with turkey ham | Pancakes, cinnamon streusel muffin | Peanut butter, strawberry jam, pancake syrup, grape juice | |
| Breakfast 5 | Vegan breakfast burrito, breakfast fried rice with turkey sausage | Lemon oat bar, granola bar | Orange juice | |
| Breakfast 6 | Chicken and waffle sandwich, beef sausage links | Doughnut stick, oatmeal | Peanut butter, grape jelly, apple juice | |
| Breakfast 7 | Chicken and biscuits, creamed ground beef | Cranberry orange loaf | Biscuit gravy, Worcestershire sauce, grape juice | |
| Lunch/Dinner 1 | Korean barbecue chicken thighs, brown rice, green beans | Raspberry cheesecake bites, peanut butter chocolate bar | All-purpose sauce, tea, energy drink | |
| Lunch/Dinner 2 | Bulgogi, Thai sweet chili chicken, basmati rice, carrots | Espresso brownie with salted caramel frosting, strawberry breakfast bar | Cold brew coffee, drink mixes, pink lemonade | |
| Lunch/Dinner 3 | Shrimp and grits, vegetarian chili, brown rice, carrots and peas | Strawberry shortcake, granola bar | Peanut butter, grape jelly, tea, peach mango drink | |
| Lunch/Dinner 4 | Turkey with gravy, stuffing, mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, green beans | Apple pie log | Cranberry sauce, energy drink, watermelon drink | |
| Lunch/Dinner 5 | Beef and broccoli, spring rolls, basmati rice, carrots | Chocolate chantilly cake | Sriracha, cold brew coffee, drink mixes, energy drink | |
| Lunch/Dinner 6 | Chicken balls with tomato sauce, macaroni, peas and carrots | Salted caramel mini Bundt cake, granola bar, applesauce | Tea, peach iced tea | |
| Lunch/Dinner 7 | Grilled steak, mashed potatoes, corn | Chocolate cola cake, granola bar | Peanut butter, strawberry jelly, gravy, all-purpose sauce, drink mixes, energy drink | |
| Lunch/Dinner 8 | Barbecue pork ribs, fried chicken, collard greens, macaroni and cheese | Veggie cornbread, chocolate and vanilla cupcakes | Gravy, barbecue sauce, tea, iced tea | |
| Lunch/Dinner 9 | Jambalaya, Creole pasta with shrimp and catfish, green beans | Ranger cookie, granola bar, applesauce | All-purpose sauce, drink mixes, watermelon drink | |
| Lunch/Dinner 10 | Chicken and vegetables in Monterey Jack cheese sauce, brown rice, peas and carrots | Pineapple mini Bundt cake, granola bar, peaches | Cold brew coffee, peach iced tea, energy drink | |
| Lunch/Dinner 11 | Salmon in mango chili sauce, cheese tortellini primavera, primavera rice, peas | Blueberry fruit tart, apple cinnamon breakfast bar | Peanut butter, grape jelly, all-purpose sauce, energy drink | |
| Lunch/Dinner 12 | Roast chicken quarters, quinoa rice blend, carrots | Carrot cake, granola bar, applesauce | All-purpose sauce, iced tea, drink mixes | |
| Lunch/Dinner 13 | Chicken cordon bleu, mashed potatoes, green beans | Red velvet mini Bundt cake, blueberry breakfast bar, peaches | Gravy, cold brew coffee, tea, peach mango drink | |
| Lunch/Dinner 14 | Beef short ribs, mashed potatoes, corn | Pecan praline cake | Peanut butter, strawberry jam, gravy, all-purpose sauce, barbecue sauce, tea, pink lemonade | |
| Short Order 1 | Philly cheesesteak, green beans | Granola bar | Energy drink | |
| Short Order 2 | Beef taco kit, brown rice, corn | Granola bar | Watermelon drink | |
| Short Order 3 | Chicken wings, corn | Strawberry breakfast bar | Barbecue sauce, pink lemonade | |
| Short Order 4 | Hamburger, hot dog, vegetarian chili, baked beans | Apple pie log | All-purpose sauce, peach mango drink | |
| Short Order 5 | Vegan chicken tenders, baked beans | Blueberry breakfast bar | Barbecue sauce, watermelon drink | |
| Short Order 6 | Breaded shrimp, macaroni primavera | Peanut butter chocolate bar | All-purpose sauce, pink lemonade |
| Breakfast 1 | Bacon, cheddar cheese, tortillas | Yellow cake mix, apple pie filling, fruit cocktail | Orange juice | |
| Breakfast 2 | Turkey sausage links | Yellow cake mix, blueberry pie filling, pears | Apple juice | |
| Breakfast 3 | Creamed ground beef, bacon, biscuit mix | Peaches | Orange juice | |
| Breakfast 4 | Creamed turkey sausage, biscuit mix | Yellow cake mix, cherry pie filling, fruit cocktail | Grape juice | |
| Breakfast 5 | Ham, bacon, onions, green bell peppers, biscuit mix, biscuit gravy | Pears | Orange juice | |
| Breakfast 6 | Creamed turkey sausage, ham, rice, mixed vegetables, onions, soy sauce, fried rice seasoning | Yellow cake mix, apple pie filling, fruit cocktail | Apple juice | |
| Breakfast 7 | Turkey sausage links, cheddar cheese, tortillas | Yellow cake mix, blueberry pie filling, pears | Orange juice | |
| Lunch/Dinner 1 | Beef, mashed potatoes, peas and carrots, biscuit mix, gravy | Sugar cookie mix, cinnamon, fruit cocktail | ||
| Lunch/Dinner 2 | Chicken, rice, corn, cornbread mix, Creole sauce | Oatmeal cookie mix, fruit cocktail | ||
| Lunch/Dinner 3 | Pork chops, potatoes au gratin, green beans, jalapeño peppers, cornbread mix, bourbon-flavored barbecue sauce | Brownie mix, pan-coated peanut butter disks, applesauce | ||
| Lunch/Dinner 4 | Chicken, rice, mixed vegetables, carrots, biscuit mix, gravy | Yellow cake mix, chocolate icing, pears | ||
| Lunch/Dinner 5 | Chicken, linguini, black beans, corn, jalapeño peppers, Alfredo sauce, salsa, Southwest seasoning | Yellow cake mix, blueberry pie filling, cinnamon, brown sugar, chocolate pudding, peaches | ||
| Lunch/Dinner 6 | Beef, linguini, mushrooms, onions, green beans, biscuit mix, sour cream | Brownie mix, pears | ||
| Lunch/Dinner 7 | Chicken, shrimp, rice, tomatoes, peas, biscuit mix, salsa | Yellow cake mix, apple pie filling, cinnamon, brown sugar, vanilla pudding | ||
| Lunch/Dinner 8 | Chicken, macaroni, American cheese, black beans, corn, carrots, jalapeño peppers, cornbread mix, salsa | Oatmeal cookie mix, pan-coated chocolate disks, pears | ||
| Lunch/Dinner 9 | Chicken, brown rice, mixed vegetables, biscuit mix, gravy | Oatmeal cookie mix, apple pie filling, vanilla pudding, peaches | ||
| Lunch/Dinner 10 | Spaghetti, meatballs in sauce, cheddar cheese, green beans, biscuit mix, tomato paste, Italian seasoning | Spice cake mix, icing, chocolate pudding, fruit cocktail | ||
| Lunch/Dinner 11 | Chicken, stuffing, mashed potatoes, carrots, gravy | Oatmeal cookie mix, pears, nuts and raisins | ||
| Lunch/Dinner 12 | Chili, rice, corn, cornbread mix | Sugar cookie mix, pan-coated chocolate disks, chocolate pudding, fruit cocktail | ||
| Lunch/Dinner 13 | Chicken, shrimp, linguini, baby corn, carrots, water chestnuts, biscuit mix, chili garlic sauce | Yellow cake, chocolate icing, peaches | ||
| Lunch/Dinner 14 | Chicken, rice, onions, white beans, green beans, jalapeño peppers, cornbread mix, salsa, Southwest seasoning | Brownie mix, vanilla pudding, pears |
| Breakfast 1 | Egg mix, beef and potatoes in cream gravy, tortillas | Apple spice cake, apple dessert | Peanut butter, strawberry jam, orange juice | |
| Breakfast 2 | Egg mix, Cajun-style chicken with andouille chicken sausage, brown rice | Breakfast cake with maple syrup, nuts and raisins | Grape juice | |
| Breakfast 3 | Egg mix, beef and potatoes in cream gravy, turkey sausage patties in brine | Breakfast cake with maple syrup, granola with milk and blueberries | Grape juice | |
| Breakfast 4 | Egg mix, corned beef hash, tortillas | Golden harvest cake with icing, apple cinnamon oatmeal | Peanut butter, grape jelly, orange juice | |
| Lunch/Dinner 1 | Chili with beans, brown rice, green beans | Chocolate cherry cake with cherry toppings, pan-coated peanut butter disks | Chocolate protein drink, orange drink | |
| Lunch/Dinner 2 | Spaghetti and meatballs, green beans | Red velvet cake with icing, pan-coated chocolate disks | Lemon-lime drink | |
| Lunch/Dinner 3 | Burgundy beef stew, brown rice, green beans | White chocolate chip cookies with cranberries, nuts and raisins | Chocolate protein drink, orange drink | |
| Lunch/Dinner 4 | Buffalo chicken, white rice, carrots | Peanut butter cookies with chocolate chips, pan-coated peanut butter disks | Grape drink | |
| Lunch/Dinner 5 | Cajun-style chicken with andouille chicken sausage, white rice, corn | Yellow cake with chocolate icing, pan-coated chocolate disks | Fruit punch | |
| Lunch/Dinner 6 | Chicken chili, white rice, carrots | White chocolate chip cookies with cranberries, jalapeño cashews | Jalapeño cheese spread, fruit punch | |
| Lunch/Dinner 7 | Beef fajita filling, tortillas, corn | Carrot cake with icing | Chocolate protein drink, orange drink | |
| Lunch/Dinner 8 | Chicken breast with gravy, sweet potato casserole, green beans | Peanut butter cookies with chocolate chips, nuts and raisins | Grape drink | |
| Holiday Menu | Turkey slices, stuffing, mashed potatoes with gravy, carrots | Pan-coated chocolate disks, nuts and raisins | Cranberry sauce, drink mixes |
A variety of contractors are involved in the production, management, and distribution of UGRs and their contents, including (as of 2023) ABC Ventures, AmeriQual, Atlantic, Chef Minute Meals, Club Tex, Envision, Inc., Epic Foods, Gossner Foods, Hershey, HOIST, LC Industries, Nex-Xos, OhSix, Oregon Freeze Dry, Sterling Foods, Sopakco, Valley Foods, Werling Meats, and Wornick.[19] More than 60,000 UGRs are produced each year.[20]
UGRs are supplied by the DLA's Operational Rations Division. UGRs, like other rations, cannot be sold to individuals, and are only supplied or sold to the U.S. military, the DoD, the federal government, government employee commissaries, government contractors (if their contract specifically permits such purchases), foreign governments with authorized contractual relationships, and civilians as humanitarian aid.
American service members generally find UGRs to taste better than MREs. The UGR-E in particular was positively received, with the holiday menu singled out as "a morale booster" for soldiers otherwise unable to have proper Thanksgiving or Christmas dinners on deployment. However, some items—namely egg dishes, as reported by Stars and Stripes in 2005—are widely disliked due to poor taste. Some soldiers have also cautioned against mixing or switching between UGRs and MREs, which is said to cause constipation.[21]