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Technical note | A Qualitative Evaluation of Several Ration Concepts in a Field Setting

ABSTRACT

Increasingly demanding and varying operational situations, combined with under-consumption of ration pack items, questions the suitability of current CRP for modern military operations. A project was thus undertaken to explore alternative ration pack configurations and to elicit the views of military personnel likely to use them. Six ration concepts were developed; two lightweight options, two whole-day options; and a modular option. A qualitative evaluation of these ration concepts revealed that four were considered promising and worthy of further development. Three broad courses of action were also identified—improving the current CR1M, introducing lightweight options and developing modular rations. It is recommended that:

  • the merits of each of these actions be investigated; and
  • a case be developed for each of these options to be pursued in series—progressing from improvements to the existing CR1M, to the introduction of light-weight options (which may become modules), then finally to modular rations.

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Australian Defence Force (ADF) personnel on operations rarely consume all items in the combat ration packs (CRP) supplied. This under-consumption, together with a range of increasingly diverse and less predictable operational situations being experienced by ADF members has raised doubts about the suitability of CRP when used as the sole source of nutrition for personnel deployed on ADF operations. Consequently, we undertook studies to identify potential solutions for future combat rationing of the ADF.

A three-step process was used in the project—user input before design (both stakeholders and users were included), concept design, and user evaluation of options developed. For such an evaluation qualitative data was collected to explore user perspectives of current CRP and their views as to the potential of the alternative configuration options presented.

Pre-design input indicated users and stakeholders felt there was a need for more flexible options that could cater for a wider variety of situations. Alternative ration configurations could reduce the selective use of items in the current ration packs, which commonly occurs, and the consequent under-consumption leading to nutritional requirements not being met. Factors of importance to users and stakeholders were: variety, compactness, convenience and ease of use. The inclusion of energy-dense foods, comfort foods, recovery foods, and commercial sports products was considered important. Retort meals continued to be a cause for complaint, whereas freeze-dried meals were well received. Users expressed the need for nutrition education and instruction on the use of CRP. Finally, users and stakeholders accepted that cost, logistics, and flexible design all pose challenges for future CRP design and development.

Six ration pack options were developed; two lightweight options, two whole-day options; and a modular option. A qualitative evaluation revealed that four of these were considered promising and worthy of further development; the Part Day Ration (PDR), the light Weight Ration (LWR), the Whole-Day, Meal-Based Ration (WD-MB), and the Modular Energy System Ration (MES).

From this evaluation it was concluded that there were three possible courses of action—improve the existing CR1M; introduce light-weight rations; or develop a modular rationing system. These three courses of action could be pursued sequentially.

It is recommended that:

  •  the merits of each of three courses of action be considered in light of current knowledge of military nutritional requirements, food science, cost, logistics, change management and other constraints; and
  • a case be developed for each of these options to be pursued in series—progressing from improvements to the existing CR1M, to the introduction of light-weight options (which may become modules), then finally to modular rations.

These recommended courses of action are likely to alleviate the current problems associated with CRP. There is the potential to produce a suite of rations which are more suited to ADF requirements and therefore better utilised by ADF members.

Key information

Author

Julia E. Carins and Kate A. Flinders

Publication number

DSTO-TN-1085

Publication type

Technical note

Publish Date

May 2012

Classification

Unclassified - public release

Keywords

Food, Combat Rations, Nutriton, Diet, Acceptability