Military Ration Packs - French Army 8hr RIER Exercise Ration, Menu 4. Pork with Lentils.

In this video, I am out in the pine forest to test and review a French Army RIER 8hr ration pack.
The French ration packs have earned themselves a bit of a reputation as being very good , gourmet even. I wanted to see for myself what they are all about, so I spent an hour tucking into one - menu 4, pork and lentils.
I hope you enjoy the video.
Thanks for watching.
Links
French army RCIR ration pack (bigger 24hr version)
www.mre-empire.com/collection...
Simon, a bloke in the woods Merchandise
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A View from a Train - One Meyers
Lightweight - Birelli Snow

[@muhammadabubakar4079]

Simon you're like antidepressants❤️

[@bazbarrow6160]

Best comment I have seen in ages 😂

[@christianboutell7112]

Totally agree with you,he's brilliant.

[@annetaylor7496]

Same🥰

[@oddmanout98]

Have to agree with you there!!

[@Draculhuhn]

Nah....he's better....no nasty side-effects❤

[@clio2rsminicup]

Hello. As a now old (but still in very good physical health eh! ^^) French soldier, in my 34rd year of service (I have 3 left to do) and several OPEX over the world and the past 30 years (arfff time flies so quickly...), I certify the quality of our combat rations, especially if we compare them with those of some of our NATO comrades for example. 😁 I remember very well, for example, that for four and a half months in Sarajevo in 1999 (during the Kosovo war), we made happy soldiers of our US Army comrades by offering them one of our combat rations as a gift. 🙂 PS: For the coffee you put way too much water. ^^ You have to dilute the sachet in a smaller volume of hot water to get the most out of it. ;-)

[@Gordie79hamilton]

Excellent stuff. Im not surprised to hear the tinned main meal was good the part of France I spend a lot of time in has a tradition of canning food at home. This winter we dug out a wild boar stew from the back of the cupboard and it was tasty as fook. Ten years old!! A vintage stew. 🤯🤣

[@timp3931]

I remember going camping and cooking my food over an open fire - a plastic fork was absolutely useless!

[@user-rc2pm3zk8e]

Very nice video! We always called them , ‘sporks’.

[@thetruthwillout9094]

I used to love the rat packs when I was in the Army, obviously you can't beat fresh but I did enjoy them, esp crumbling all my biscuits brown put in my mess cup with hot water, half a yorkie and powdered milk.

[@bazbarrow6160]

Well that’s just made my Wednesday much more bearable 😂😁!! Loved the last ration episode too 👌👌 Cheers

[@paulmurphy5648]

Hi Simon, I live in a big city and need two crutches to walk, so I really appreciate you letting me enjoy a few minutes in the countryside. I used to go hiking regularly in the Peak district. I do miss it but you help me think about the good times. Cheers mate, keep up the good work.

[@llorylloyd]

I enjoy how Simon talks to the camera like he's talking directly to me like I'm right there with him. He truly makes one feel like they are part of the journey. Thanks Safe travels 💕

[@alexvana4604]

Home from work, a beer and a new Simon! 😊

[@linnell376]

Makes me laugh, at no time in my army career have i had time to sit, eat and enjoy the flavour! Normally just pile it down your throat!

[@melaniechesnel9094]

my only comment is that a French soldier would make that amount of instant coffee in half the quantity of water that you used for an after meal coffee so it would need less heating, getting something more espresso than mug of coffee. The brands used such as Henaff and RAYNAL ET ROQUELAURE are high end, available in most supermarkets for the general public who want quick meals from the store cupboard

[@gary7vn]

That and there was no wind screen.

[@cosmoschtroumpf]

euh.. Henaff du haut de gamme...? pas sûr .

[@marklindsey4112]

Had some of the best tinned sardines I've ever had from a French ration pack. Felt a bit cheated when I saw them, but when I ate 'em, damn they were good. Great video Simon. And I'm digging that beard.

[@a.y.t.a.s.494]

Were they in a white tin? I’ve still got some bits left in one I got somewhere

[@kingrafa3938]

7 seconds when the video is up and i am here 😂

[@brucepickess8097]

Simon a bloke with a spoon/spork, a mug, a water bottle, a penknife and an appetite.😏

[@DaddyQuattro]

As an American with limited access to this kind of MRE, it's been fun watching you review these. The shorter content also makes for a better bite size of video. Also, none of this surprises me as being French. Thanks for your fun, uplifting content.

[@Lalunabreeze]

Even in military housing there was always a case in the hall closet. Triggers memories. Thanks

[@iangregory3719]

Ive tried most cold war era NATO rations, and by far the best was the French, duck in orange paté for starters, sliced Venison in a red wine sauce with veg as a main and a chocolate mousse thing, like yours, as a desert. The usual extras like drinks and biscuits. Belgium came a close second.

[@vikingbushcraft1911]

Simon - un connaisseur gastronomique dans la forêt (sentant légèrement l'ail) 😉 😂

[@simonablokeinthewoods]

😂😂😂

[@chux72vette]

Hi Simon. I'm enjoying your taste testing of all the different rations being former USAF here. I've only had the option of trying a few from around the world but mainly ours here in the USA. Keep it up and Thank You!!!~

[@connormatthews522]

Love these MRE videos mate, channelling your inner SteveMREInfo haha

[@simonablokeinthewoods]

😂😂

[@davidsayer3325]

Thanks Simon, must agree with you 14:21 the French rations are really good 👍

[@rgober60]

Thank you, that was interesting. Will be waiting on the next to come. Have a good week Simon 😊✋️👍👍👍👍👍

[@Andrewoutdooradventures1550]

Thank you Simon for a great French ration pack video it looks amazing ration pack cheers Simon for sharing this great video 👍

[@CragScrambler]

Only one thing g than bloke in the woods video and that's when there's some military rations on the go 😊

[@bencrichton2436]

Loving these "ration reviews". Great idea!

[@oddmanout98]

That was a surprise. Didn’t expect the pack to be that good. I’ve been told that with some ration packs, some of the chocolate gets added to the coffee! Just to make it more palatable. Not sure myself though, not done that. Thanks Simon.

[@wurzella1]

Especially if it's a French blend style, the chocolate adds a bit more bitterness to a too mild coffee. Also a bit of sugar I suppose seeing as the French apparently don't give you any!

[@davidneal6920]

I never get tired of ration pack videos. That ration pack meal looked superb and I love the little cooker. Would love to take that pack hunting 🇬🇧 🇫🇷 🇳🇿

[@JasonMcCannLover]

That looks like quality food. Nice one Simon.

[@camocarper24871]

The little cans the tuna and dessert came in are ideal for making an alcohol stove.

[@mphigham1963]

It looked rather appetising did that Simon ! 😃😃

[@carpenterpilot487]

nerves are come just to get all ration pack ready THANKS of SHOWING I enjoy

[@danieltaylor5231]

Let's get this out onto a stump. Nice. I tip for heating those tins up on a stove like that, pull the top off so you can stir it as it heats for a more even reheat. Great video. Thank Simon.

[@ptouchpaul]

Thanks for sharing Simon, hope you're keeping well. French army rations are amazing, best army rations of them all I reckon. You wanna try the other french army rations you'll be blown away !! 🙂

[@Roblovesbushcraft]

Napoleon said "an army marches on its stomach"

[@Tinytraveler]

If I could thumbs up this a second time I would, this is really fantastic content. Well edited too, it takes a lot of work to make these videos happen, so it's easy to spot when corners are cut, you do wonderful work

[@simonablokeinthewoods]

Thank you! 😁

[@tiffanyvelez1340]

I like the little esprit stove keep it for later add more heat tabs,I’ve seen French rations before they always look good I’m sure the troops learn what to bring to add,

[@CC-CODER]

Yay

[@MartinHughes-cc6lc]

The only thing missing was the wine! Another great ration pack video.

[@macewindupage]

I once read that Napoleon's soldiers had a ration of 1 litre of wine each per day!

[@MartinHughes-cc6lc]

@@macewindupage I'd sign up tomorrow😄

[@macewindupage]

I hear you brother but I doubt they got Châteauneuf du Pape 😄

[@simonablokeinthewoods]

I heard a rumour that they used to have wine in their ration packs 😃

[@loupiscanis9449]

Thank you , Simon . 🐺Loupis Canis .

[@loupiscanis9449]

What , No T-Bag !!! Pha ! 🐺Loupis Canis .

[@garywoods8609]

Mmmm love a good French ration pack, it's like a French bistro in a box 😂

[@janneaaltonen]

That looked yummy!

[@darrenphillips5874]

Excellent as always

[@wurzella1]

I do understand why a lot of European forces stick with tinned foods instead of the heat in the bag stuff, the quality of their tinned food is just leagues ahead of ours. I went through a phase of ordering lots of stuff from the survivalist type sites just to try things, German tinned bread with French tinned butter and tinned confit pork is better than anything you can buy in the shops in the UK, they know what they're doing.

[@timp3931]

Canadian army "boil in the foil" were fine when I was eating them in the 1980s. I noticed there was less food when compared to the full day ration packs of 1979.

[@danieljaramillo87]

Nice! Very good 👍 loved the video .

[@thcdreams654]

Solid content bro. Thanks.

[@jimhood6889]

French by far the best ration food! Great video Simon, glad you liked the grub.

[@sameoldbmx]

“Yep that’s coffee…”🕵🏼‍♂️ 😂

[@ukusagent]

So miss your Copilot Maggie, She would have been great for a Maggie approved MRE segment 💔, i love how the French refuse to move from Cans still in their ration packs

[@simonablokeinthewoods]

I think she definitely would have approved of this one 😊😔

[@MRE-UK_on_Ebay]

Great review, Thanks for sharing.

[@dhammo749]

Love your vids Simon,keep um coming .

[@nickmarshall8583]

Surprised it doesn't come with a small bottle of wine. Loving the series though!

[@jimmycleveland1373]

Great video Simon! I am enjoying this series.

[@baggrabb]

Portmanteau of the day: spoon+fork = spork. Interesting video, thanks!

[@jimrogers1853]

Love these ration pack vids. Keep them coming.

[@allanmason7544]

great vid simon

[@thenanlife1141]

Great vlogg as always Simon ❤

[@madamecampsalot6384]

That actually looked really good! I'm enjoying these test videos. Thanks Simon.

[@aynsleycooper365]

Great to see you Simon, thanks for posting...

[@TantersD3]

Nice job in a fantastic setting👌

[@geneclayton2467]

Good job Simon, please do more of these.

[@charleslongley7862]

Finally, someone who understands how to heat up the French mains!

[@paulseeman6481]

Love the vibe of your videos Simon, chilled yet interesting and engaging.

[@user-lu3jz4ve4l]

Nice one Simon, truly appreciate your videos. Please continue to do ration pack videos. Cheers

[@campingwithjosh]

Yes Simon! Was looking forward to this one after you mentioned you was doing this after our camp! Keep up mate! 🤙🏻🍻🔥

[@thekg6811]

Really enjoying these ration pack reviews. Long they continue

[@e.n.oosterbosch5281]

After months of mre food from the Dutch army ,I can't see any ration anymore , still nice to try people it out and promote it thanks for sharing

[@elevatorman7750]

Great video

[@1990westfalia]

Simon, you make the simple look and feel elegant. Thanks for taking us along. Skillet

[@peterstone5356]

Love your work from here down under Simon.

[@tanner4508]

I really enjoy your take on the various MRE’s. Keep them coming!

[@mikesirois3362]

Way to go simon, looked really good!

[@MICHAEL-lx5cy]

Simon, another great video BROTHER!!!

[@celticnorthman3615]

Hey Simon, really enjoying the ration reviews!! Great job!!!!

[@scottselliers1672]

Of the many enjoyable aspects of your videos, I always find your attention to the cleaning and care fo the woodland environment applaudable. Thank you so very much for including "leave no trace" practices into your routine!

[@mbrider56]

Lovely stuff simon, good quality ingredients from the French. Looked delicious as well.

[@bigchris80]

Top video as always.👌 Short and sweet, Ration pack looked good👍

[@trentwalters]

Great video buddy always love the ration pack videos.

[@thewheelchairprepper8070]

Hi Simon...well done MATE and Thanks👍👍👍👍👍

[@inthecountrynotinthecountry]

Loving the ration pack vids 😊

[@jessicabaxter4868]

I absolutely love the music you choose for your videos. Great series! Really enjoying it 😊

[@teggsyohh2]

This is fast becoming my favourite channel something so soothing about it. Keep it up Simon great content mate.

[@chrisorawe]

Just eating the biscuits out of a french one 🤤

[@moorshound3243]

Once I was out in the woods with a mate, I was eating salmon pate with biscuits in the dark, my mate said how's yours? Great I said as he turned on the head lamp & we saw I was eating salmon with chocolate biscuits haha

[@thenanlife1141]

Certainly looks delicious Simon x

[@fucktheworld1207]

The Downton Abbey wipe of the mouth at the end 😉🤣😉 very posh 🤪

[@simonablokeinthewoods]

😂😂😂

[@rm8679]

You always have the best music with your videos. Great.

[@TheStwat]

I've had a few of the French 24hr rations and they are fantastic.

[@perplane]

I always thought all MRE's came with a clothespin for your nose to help you deal with the bad taste. You have shown us differently where it seems these meals are not so bad but actually pretty good. As much as I love your bushcraft videos, I have to admit that I really enjoy these MRE videos too. Thanks for mixing it up Simon, you never disappoint.

[@timp3931]

Canadian Army IMPs from 1985 were good, especially the sweet and sour pork.

[@HelenNetallica]

All that food looked delicious!..very nice

[@myvoiceyourstory9338]

Love the video series’s bruv

[@GypsyJvan]

thanks for the review..

[@Conan3145]

Hey, Simon, good video. OK let’s get this out onto a tray! 😎

[@offgridrecon]

Well done sir, great job filming and reviewing. 👍🏻❤️🇺🇸

[@dhession64]

I don't think the US DoD is going to spring for an MRE like this, but it is, after all, FRENCH 😉😉😉😁 Julia Childs had a clue about Haute Cuisine 😅😅 Another quality video, sir. Thank you for what you do 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻

[@BeeKay4444]

This was cool to see what these packs have in them. Always great to see you Simon. I hope your scratch on your face heals up quickly. Cheers 😊

[@Thedagda801]

Brilliant content fella! Esbit stoves are fabulous!

[@themightysumo8056]

Brilliant simon another cracking vid love these ration packs... yer tash is coming along nicely too

[@Aliessil]

That nougat looked almost exactly like the bars I used to buy as a kid in the 80s, in Hastings!

[@jamescoffey5225]

I am amazed at how well you eat on the trail even when you don't have to prepare your own grub! I am not a fan of lentils (my fault--healthy food), but that main dish still looked delicious. I too prefer milk chocolate. The heating system left much to be desired. Nonetheless, the French know how to go to war, meal wise, in style! Another very interesting and entertaining video. Thanks and take care.

[@jamescoffey5225]

A second thought: the only thing that French ration pack is lacking is a nip of cognac! 🙂

[@terry7907]

Back in the day, I spent a lot of time with the French Army. The 24 hour packs each had a beer and a shot of cognac. Much better.

[@moorshound3243]

Ha jokes

[@terry7907]

@@moorshound3243 No joke. I went through French Commando School and used them.

[@barryconway]

Great fun as always, thanks for making and sharing. Glad I ate before watching this! I have to say that your own videography has come on leaps and bounds, SABITW. And the new tunes, eh? 👏👏👏

[@jaygatsby3039]

I loved these. Before covid I used to order the RCIR and then use that as an excuse to go out camping to scoff them. I was amazed how tasty these are!