[cbush]

28 years of eating them. They are a lot better than C rations, and the new ones are better than old ones. When I go to the field, I usually go about 24 hours without eating them, and then am hungry enough to really like them.

The importance of spending the money to make them appealing to our Soldiers is that if they don't like them, they won't eat them in sufficient quantity to maintain their weight and strength. If you are in an austere environment, and patrolling with all the body armor and gear, you really need the high calories. They run about 2000 calories per meal.
The vegetarian ones are good because they have lots of things like nuts, raisins, chips and other items to provide the fat and calories you get with the meat.

I NEVER eat them at home even though they sell them at the commissary. Great when you are hungry and there are no other options but.....