Jungle ration facts for kids

The Jungle Ration (or "J-Ration") was a dry, lightweight United States military ration developed by the U.S. Army in World War II for soldiers on extended missions in tropical regions.

Menu contents

The jungle ration was repeatedly altered during its existence, as Quartermaster Corps officers substituted less expensive or heavier canned components (such as evaporated milk). Some known components include:

• Biscuits (Hardtack)
• Salted beef (1st issue) - A U.S. version of traditional Central and South American carne seca, using dried high-quality cuts of beef, lightly salted and spiced; this component was one of the first to be eliminated in favor of cheaper, heavier canned meats
• Canned meat (2nd issue) - tinned beef/pork or pork loaf; some sources indicate pork luncheon meat (Spam) was also a rotating component
• Porridge - (a general term for Grapenuts or other precooked dry cereal)
• Fruit bars
• Chewing gum
• Hard candy
• Dried apricots
• Dried peaches
• Lemon powder
• Cocoa powder (usually combined with powdered milk and sugar to make a chocolate drink)
• Roasted salted peanuts
• Whole powdered milk
• Raisins
• Salt
• Black pepper
• Instant coffee
• White sugar
• Cigarettes
• Toilet paper