Delaware National
Guard |
| TOTM (Tailored Operational Training Meal) |
What is a TOTM?
By Maj. Jane Zak, 198th Signal Battalion
This ration is similar to the standard MRE in packaging and contains many of the same components. However, it employs commercial packaging to reduce costs. The TOTM (Tailored Operational Training Meal) is a totally self-contained packet consisting of a meal packed in a flexible meal bag that is lightweight and fits easily into military field clothing pockets.
The menu typically contains a MRE entrée (Minestrone, Pasta w/Vegetables, Chicken Tetrazini, etc) , wet-pack fruit, a beverage base, flameless heater, dining kit, and other assorted components. The contents of one TOTM meal bag provide an average of 997 calories.
The purpose of this ration is to provide an alternative operational training meal in lieu of ‘sack lunches’ and catered commercial meals to organizations that engage in inactive duty training (IDT) for usage in situations where employment of traditional operational ration meals is not mandated. The TOTM became available in May 2001. This effort is being executed to promote the doctrine requirements and the ‘train as you fight’ philosophy, while meeting the customers’ budgetary needs.
For more information, visit http://www.dscp.dla.mil/subs/rations/meals/totm.htm
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