5 times using food as a weapon helped turn the tide of a battle
Napoleon is credited for saying that an Army marches on its stomach. Whether he actually said that or not is disputed, but whomever did say that was correct: Food is…
How ‘having guts’ actually meant being an able US troop
These days, having the guts to do something just means someone is brave enough to take on what seems to be an overwhelming undertaking. Any herculean task could require guts: quitting a job, suing city hall, or voting third party could all require a…
The 6 absolute worst field ration meals ever created from any era
We give up a lot of our free speech rights when we agree to wear the uniform of the United States. The military is quirky like that, to put it…
How American GIs brought Spam to the world
No, we’re not talking about automated, unsolicited emails trying to sell you fat-burning pills or hair-loss recovery foam. The original Spam is a brand of precooked canned meat product made by the Hormel Foods Corporation. Today, there are 15 varie…
Why sliced bread became an illegal commodity during World War II
World War II was a total war, which meant the civilian population of the United States had to do their part to win it. Those who weren’t fighting or directly…
This is how WW2 Marines made ice cream at 30,000 feet
Every job has its unexpected perks. Even being a Marine Corps aviator in World War II had some unexpected benefits. This is because Marines make do, as the saying goes, and are used to making the most out of whatever Uncle Sam provides them…
7 ways military rations used to be a lot better
Military scientists work tirelessly to make modern rations as light, nutritious, and healthy as possible for the warfighter. But they don’t seem to care about them being awesome at all. Here are 7 things they’ve removed from the menu that modern …
This diet fueled both sides during the American Civil War
The hype directed toward peanuts today resulted from the sudden fame they gained during the Civil War. While modern society enjoys peanuts in various forms, before and during the war,…
Who knew these top 5 chain restaurants were founded by military veterans?
We eat at certain restaurants and fast-food franchises all the time without ever thinking about who may have founded the companies. Some we visit weekly or even more. Others we…
11 regional American foods we’d like to see in MREs
MREs do what they can to bring a little taste of home to deployed troops. How successful they are or have been in the past — and how tasty those attempts were — is open for debate.