Field ration eating device explained

The field ration eating device (FRED) is an Australian eating utensil and multi-tool that serves as a combination of a can opener, bottle opener, and spoon. As its name suggests, it is issued to the Australian Defence Force for use with its Combat Ration One Man field rations. It was first issued around 1943.^{[1] [2]}

Its NATO Stock Number (NSN) is 7330-66-010-0931 and the item name is "opener, hand, can".^{[3] [4]} It is also humorously referred to as the "fucking ridiculous eating device".^{[5] [6] [7]}

See also

• P-38 can opener
• Combination eating utensils

Further reading

• Web site: Australian military slang . Appendix. Wiktionary . 2007-11-05 .

External links

• Web site: Ration Packs, Combat Rations, Rat Packs, Chew & Spew . Oz Current: Food . Digger History: an unofficial history of the Australian & New Zealand Armed Forces . 2007-11-05 .

Notes and References

1. Web site: 6 October 2005 . Farewell, old Fred . 5 November 2007 . Army – The Soldiers' Newspaper 6 October 2005 Edition #1130 : Letters to the Editor . Coordination and Public Affairs; Directorate of Defence Newspapers (Australian Army).
2. Web site: 20 October 2005 . Fred's friend's left with sour taste . 2007-11-05 . Army – The Soldiers' Newspaper 20 October 2005 Edition #1131 : Letters to the Editor . Australian Army.
3. Web site: NSN search result: 7330-66-010-0931. ISO Group. 2023-03-13 .
4. Web site: Compliance of 2012/13 Combat Ration Packs to the Recommended Nutritional Criteria. Defence Science and Technology Organisation. 13 March 2023. Lan . Bui. Tracey . McLaughlin. Ross . Coad. 40.
5. Web site: 2005 . A history of modern military rations . 5 November 2007 . MetaFilter:community weblog . A similar device is currently employed by the Australian Army in its ration kits. It is known by the acronym "FRED" (Fucking Ridiculous Eating Device)..
6. Web site: Hardiman . Graeme . The Malayan Emergency. 2RAR 1956/57 . 5 November 2007 . 2RAR . Digger History: an unofficial history of the Australian & New Zealand Armed Forces . I remember the spoon come tin opener that was in later years nicknamed "Fred" (f****ing ridiculous eating device).
7. Web site: 2007 . Australian Ration pack Contents . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20071012083346/http://www.militarypeople.com.au/mainsite/content/view/175/50/ . 2007-10-12 . 2007-11-05 . Ration Pack . Australian Defence News & Opinion – MilitaryPeople.com.au.