ha ! you actually like this one. this hamsteak is the one everyone avoids like the plague while on ops. yucch

some ufi. the rations are expected to be field stripped before being packed into the soldiers gear. all the packaging helps protect them to some deg because they are often air dropped or carried on top of armored veh to save space inside. as soon as they are given out they are stripped down for easier carry. There is a second type of Canadian IMP not avail to civies ( I think) called recce rations by the troopies(LMP oficially, LIGHT MEAL PACK). these are usually given to troops who have to hump the food over long distance and are must smaller but with a much higher calorie content. They come in a small od foil pouch and are filled with chocolate, jerky, sausage, dehydrated cheese, dried fruit and granola bars. these have the hot beverage bags and stuff in them. as far as survival food we ate nothing but these IMPs for 6 months durring op apollo and we all lived/survived just fine. IMPs bind you up after a week and you become a little irregular so to speak. You will have a sore stomach after eating them for a month, and then your body will adjust to them. we usually throw them away by the case after a field ex as we are so sick of eating them. a few guys like taurus will take them home and use them for camping (or barter items) with civilian friends to avoid seing them wasted but not me.

the bigest beef the Canadian troops have with these is that a lot of items rely on hot water and are harder to eat on the fly when boiling water is not possible (instant rice, mashed potatoes , dressing etc)