UNBOXING 54 YEAR OLD C RATION W/ CIGARETTES!

See what smokes were put in this C Ration from 1968! We open the complete meal and then compare B1, B2, and B3 units from 1968, 1975, and 1977.

[@davidrowland250]

I served in Vietnam from 1966-1967. My favorite C Rat back then was the ham n lima beans. And ours were leftovers from WW2, Still fresh when we got them. I'm still trying to remember the sterno tabs we used to heat them with. Can't remember right now. Thanks for the vids, I look forward to them each week. God Bless you and thank you for your service.

[@MeAncient]

David, I appreciate you sharing your memories. Always good to remember good times. I look forward to making them every week, when I can. TFW!

[@jamesdenekas6214]

I really really like the videos of you opening the really old ones 30-40 yr old ones. The new edible ones are good too but your reaction to the nastyness of the old ones are the best

[@CaseyBillings]

Even when I’m on vacation in gulf shores I’ll stop what I’m doing and watch your videos! 😂 loving this content

[@boccelounge]

I had this meal, around '82-83! I was a kid; my best friend's dad was Seabee in the reserves, and sometimes he'd let us have "C-Rat Picnics." A great memory you brought back to me-- thanks man!

[@dadbodadventures_]

Definitely a blast from the past! Thanks chief!!

[@The5As7]

If you collect all the different packages of cigarettes sold during that time period the complete collection is worth money. Great video guys.

[@MeAncient]

Now there's an idea. I have all 4 or 5 packs from the C Rats I've already opened. TF the idea!

[@The5As7]

@@MeAncient You're welcome!

[@The5As7]

@@MeAncient More money to but more rations!

[@brandongraham8021]

I love watching these, I remember the MRE trades with my buddies that you were talking about in the beginning of the video lol it’s interesting to see what the MREs were in the 60s! Thank you for sharing this experience!

[@TheIronChamps]

Caught myself binge watching these. Can't even lie, really enjoy watching these, grew up in a military family so I know all about these.

[@Midnightparanormal2]

That mre is definitely 5 star looks so delicious 😂😋thank you for your service I have many family that served my dad and uncle both served in Vietnam

[@noctryx]

What a great video, I was so excited to see if anything in this MRE was still edible. I love the MRE peanut butter too, I wouldn't mind having some right now watching this video :)

[@MeAncient]

I am hoping to open some peanut butter in a future C Rat. Stay tuned.....TFW!

[@isaiah5035]

Man these videos are so interesting!!!!

[@scottleidenberger4401]

We had our cases of rations turned over so you could not see what they were. I knew where my favorites were ! I got out of the army in 1976 and we were still getting smokes in the rations. The candy wrapped in the foil we called John Wayne bars. I have no idea why. Never did like the fudge . They reminded me of pure sugar. Thanks for sharing.

[@MeAncient]

Scott, I appreciate those memories. You were definitely getting older MREs. They quit packing smokes in the meals after '72. TFW!

[@darrylriech7722]

Hey guys, great video, as usual. I started laughing when Asa said that he wasn't gonna keep chewing his gum, and Me Ancient said yeah, but just kept on chewing!! LOL!! It's surprising the difference in technology as far as sealing cans has come in the last 50 plus years. I just wonder if they used a blast of either steam or nitrogen, to displace the oxygen, just before sealing the can, as they do today? Once again great video, keep 'em coming! Looking forward to the next one. God bless guys.

[@MeAncient]

Glad you enjoyed it, Darryl. I opened some canned peaches (NOT MREs) from back in 2004. They were not good at all. I definitely have seen that canned goods have a life. TFW, as always, Darryl.

[@christinevenner183]

Amazing how the crackers from the B unit were edible just because the chocolate flavoured disc was wrapped in foil. Its so interesting to see what was in the old C rats, what was considered a good menu for a meal. I would have been so happy to find a tin of apple sauce in my ration if I was in the military while they were using C rats. Brilliant video again :)

[@MeAncient]

Yes, they were pretty darned good, back when they were edible. TFW, as always, Christine!

[@Shawn-94]

One of my absolute favorite KZbin channel!

[@MeAncient]

Shawn, you are very kind. TFW!

[@t.j.mcfadden7993]

We called the foil-wrapped chocolate disks "John Wayne Bars". It was kind of like a heath bar, with crunchy bits of toffee that, through a miracle of 1970's technology, when in contact with your stomach acids, would become a cork. Two john wayne bars were usually good to stop you up for at least 24 hours.

[@vipergtsmre]

That's a pricey case of goodies you got there. Nice find, Ace!

[@MeAncient]

I am figuring out what to do with all 12 packs I"ll have once we finish opening them.......stay tuned!

[@donhermance6173]

Another great fun video. You should try using some of that food as fishing or crawdad bait. Have a blessed day

[@MeAncient]

Don, great ideal... I have to remember it in the moment when we are filming. TFW!

[@michaellynn9181]

Love your videos. That thumbnail on the other hand. Lol

[@ralphgreenjr.2466]

in 1969 basic training Fort Campbell Kentucky, I was issued Charlie Rats that had lucky Strikes in a Green package! The bulk of our "Cs" were from Korea with some WWII thrown in. In Vietnam got introduced to LRRPS, dehydrated meals, chilli con carne was great. Then came the MREs. It will all keep you alive, but fine dining it ain't!

[@richardwatts6956]

This is a great video. Thank you for telling us of your experiences with the C rations. I am wondering if a reproduction of the C rations will ever be made.

[@MeAncient]

Good question! I'm glad you are enjoying the videos. TFW!

[@csr870]

Smoke em if you got em love to check these old rations out great video guys

[@MeAncient]

Chris, if I hadn't had my brother and father pass away from lung cancer, I might be trying them. I think it would somehow be disrespectful to their memory to continue to smoke. TFW!

[@csr870]

@@MeAncient I completely understand buddy I dont smoke eather it still amazes me they put smokes in rations

[@sheybaby6504]

Lol must be red apples 🍎!!!! Great video guys!!!

[@MeAncient]

Shey, glad you caught the joke. TFW!

[@sheybaby6504]

But of course Sir!!!

[@jenniferbauman4802]

Good video. God bless. From Glenn CATT in Massachusetts.

[@MeAncient]

TFW, Jennifer.....as always.

[@Noah_thegamer097]

I love how ace had to tell him no to eating a freaking 40-year-old vanilla fudge piece if it’s over 20 years old throw it away😂😂😂

[@MeAncient]

Yeah, he's pretty concerned about his ancient. TFW, Zane!

[@aimeexelhua]

So cool to see what my dad would have ate those days.

[@dariusdeboer5498]

The instant coffee is so funny when it comes out of a packet. The coffee looks like a block of tar that you put on the roads.

[@hitithard1363]

great video sir i remember my favorite mre meals over in iraq from 2001-2004 wish i could get ahold of them now in 2001 is mre country captain chicken so good in 2002 its was mre Chicken w/Cavatelli in 2003 it was mre Chicken Tetrazzini and in 2004 it was mre Chicken w/Thai Sauce ah the good ole days sempi fi sir keep up the great videos

[@MeAncient]

Man, I wish I could come across some of those that were still edible. TFW! and thank you for your service!

[@hankzoerb317]

We still had cig's in our c-rats when I was in , 1977. We must have still been working on leftover stock...lol

[@jeffherdz]

Darkened apple sauce and jam for night time ops ! Would of been interesting if that Apple sauce would have gone off like a smudge pot...lol

[@zanewalters5606]

"Why'd you spit out your gum?" Hahahaha Super dad moment; just like something my dad would say.

[@MeAncient]

Zane, tks for the compliment! TFW!

[@LoLoLifeinFlorida]

This is so cool 😎

[@mdb831]

In the 1980's my downstairs neighbor a retired Army vet had so many of these.

[@ronaldcolejr4132]

man I was hoping that ham would of survived. it was interesting on coca cola made coffee too. never knew that! love the video as always.

[@MeAncient]

Ronald, I'll try the coffee next time. Stay tuned! TFW

[@steveg2448]

Ok me ancient. I’m converted to truly enjoying your channel. I was skeptical at first because of safety concerns. Now I genuinely look forward to each new episode. Thank you

[@MeAncient]

Welcome aboard! TFW, Steve!

[@Sniperboy5551]

@Me Ancient Does “TFW” mean “thank you for watching” to you? 😂😂 I love it, keep em coming, brother!

[@unreal4010]

@@Sniperboy5551 thanks for watching

[@EatsTreatsMREs]

I also would have been trading for peanut butter too. Some nice items here. Great video.

[@MeAncient]

Thanks for watching! Part of the 'fun' was the trading.

[@dontbotherwithreplying1543]

Your videos are a breath of fresh air from my usual negative feed on KZbin.

[@promiseyancey2038]

I was really hoping that the “ apple charcoal” would catch on fire. I can’t imagine eating those every day. Looking forward to the next video!

[@MeAncient]

I'm thinking some kind of string like a candle wick next time. Stay tuned....TFW!

[@donaldsettle990]

got those in the early 60s from my uncle in the national Gard to go camping as a kid loved the roast pork one the most

[@MeAncient]

I like all of them, myself. There wasn't much in the Corps that I didn't enjoy when it came to food. TFW, Donald!

[@mikeellis8339]

Great video. Wonder if the crackers are a hold over from Valley Forge? : ) As for tge John Wayne's I used to keep one on my Keychain when I used to work security. I kept a few can pasta ect in my trunk. I found out the hard way to keep it taped shut when in my pocket. Will cut into your thigh real easy when pulling the keys out. I would mind finding some of these just for the cigarettes. Not for smoking but for a collection piece.

[@aaronkrey6828]

Hello sir ! Thanks you again for the ration review ! This C Ration is a great one, no well conserved but I hope you enjoyed it and had big time fishing :) Maybe you can give the cig pack to a friend who smokes and had known this brand those days, or to a passionate guy, and compare it to the new one ? Or maybe give it away to one or your suscriber ;) Have a great day sir ! Be safe Aaron

[@MeAncient]

Aaron, I'm keeping all y'alls ideas in mind as I work toward opening up all 12 of the meals. I'll come up with something. Stay tuned and TFW!

[@terrycarter1137]

reminds me of when another guy who tests old rations opened several of these, along with a platoon ration box from the Korean war, the only thing still decent was 3 full packs of camel cigarettes, and i think the B-units.

[@marcuskiritsis2076]

Nice vid, bronze star with v device on its way to you from the UK 🇬🇧 for eating some of that stuff ! Good grief ! Sell the smokes they are worth a lot of money on eBay for those guys who collect Vietnam ere memorabilia as they are getting super hard to find these days. Semper Fi marine.

[@MeAncient]

Marcus, I have an idea for the smokes. I'll keep taking ideas and thinking about it until I open the last of the 12 meals with smokes....then we'll figure it out for sure.

[@christopherstrong880]

Smoke the smokes!!

[@ghostghosts3922]

Nice video sir

[@MeAncient]

So nice of you. TFW!

[@jamesderynck1219]

i had the pleasure of getting my hands one box loved the type one coffee peanut butter was still good

[@MeAncient]

James, I'll try the coffee in the next one. I'm hoping for a peanut butter soon. TFW!

[@hank-a-naterfishing1647]

Hey captain I was just wondering what do you and ace do when the food y'all don't eat do y'all throw it away or use for bait, if you didn't I bet y'all could use some for crawdads

[@MeAncient]

Great idea. I'll have to do that when we are near some crawdad holes. TFW!

[@billyhawkins9885]

There used to be some canned bread in those. It was just like fresh bread. It was great

[@beautiesfoodies8790]

I would love to have one of those can openers I lost mine

[@johnlynch7834]

No no no .Ace stopped you from trying the vanilla fudge.Looking out for his dad. I enjoyed the video.Thanks

[@MeAncient]

John, he's a pushy kid sometimes. But I love him. TFW

[@johnlynch7834]

@@MeAncient I just want to say thank you for your service to our country. I think you have two fine sons to be proud of.God bless

[@spoonclemons761]

SEMPER FI my brother love the content and i use to love the old c rat's as always 0311 is in the house

[@MeAncient]

TFW, you old 0311, you!

[@robertgeiter6428]

I remember c rations when I was at McConnell after I was in in life support we had go threw every 90 days I remember some that 69 70 71 dates

[@nathanloboski7129]

Hey me ancient great vid

[@MeAncient]

Tks, Nathan!

[@mattnobrega6621]

Them classic cancer sticks are probably worth alot of money to the right collector. Especially when they are not even opened

[@TheDedloc]

Love how Ace has to tell you to not eat the stuff LOL I don't know of anything special to do with the cigs. I mean maybe a collector would buy them but smoking is gross and they are guaranteed to be stale. It would be no more or less healthy for you as a normal cigarette would be though. It isn't going to gain super cancer-causing effects by sitting on a shelf for 60 years though. I would put it on a shelf with some other memorable war stuff. If I served in the Army I would have a spot with my uniform on a manican and like my medals hanging up (assuming I got medals lol) and I set them there with all of that stuff just as a memento. A conversation piece lol

[@MeAncient]

Thanks for the idea! TFW!

[@Texxxas23]

I love your videos, as for the cigarettes how about making a collage.

[@MeAncient]

I'll keep it in mind....TFW!

[@johnroberts5070]

I still have 2 new sealed cases from 1968 down in my basement.

[@jdeebz303]

is there anywhere that you can purchase these c rations ?

[@ash2xx1]

I love your videos but i cannot even watch this one because I'm broke and been wanting another cigarette accessory packet or especially a c ration itself in mint condition 😂

[@MeAncient]

Jonna, let me know if you can still find C Rats in mint condition. TFW!

[@mitchellthompson3025]

I'm a smoker and am curious how those Lucky Strikes taste like after such a long time! Wonder if they taste blah or have an extra toasty flavor

[@wolfgangholtzclaw2637]

Joined in 1973 and everything there that stunk and was black, well I remember it when it looked pristine and my fav was the spaghetti and the green eggs and ham.

[@lukelucas6613]

How cool is that? I liked the way he used that P38 so easily, lots of practice early on. That food???

[@MeAncient]

Luke, you know I had LOTS of practice. For sure! TFW!

[@catchemallwithloulou7664]

Did you guys have to pack these in or did one person pack it? Just curious how it all fit in rucksack.

[@MeAncient]

While out in the field without warm chow, we'd be issued the appropriate amount of boxes, usually for the next few days. I was in intelligence, and we often times worked in groups of 4 so we'd get, say, 2 boxes for 2 or three days and split them up between ourselves. We'd cut cards, high card picked first, and then keep going around until the last meal was gone. After that, the trading would begin. TFW, Lou Lou!

[@kommandokodiak6025]

jfc the sound of that applesauce

[@jillpeterson8196]

I wonder what creature you could jig out there using 54-year-old rations for bait!

[@NewHampshireJack]

Halfway through, when some questionable "food" was heaved overboard, I began watching to see if any fish would appear belly-up. Take care as fish & game might be lurking nearby. 😉

[@MeAncient]

Yessir! We were watching for the same thing. We had geese around us too, but they wouldn't even try any of the crackers. TFW, as always, Jack!

[@bladerunner752]

I had heard that guys would put the peanut butter on the chocolate fudge discs etc for a poor man's Reese cup. Also heard that the hot chocolate mixed with the coffee instant made a good Army mocha

[@fear_astrogaming]

For future reference on M.R.E's you eat with the white fire tablets never open your food while that is going you need to poke a small hole in the top of the package of food for it to vent but never open fully the chemicals from the tablet get in the food which are deadly and can cause many problems thought I could help out love your vids

[@MeAncient]

Tks for the tip and TFW!

[@dr.froghopper6711]

Oh man, when green eggs and ham were a preferred meal. I ate too many of them!

[@MeAncient]

I loved them back in the days. TFW!

[@vladm5992]

Great 1

[@MeAncient]

Tks, VLAD!

[@theh.p.lovecraftlunaticasy5186]

You might be able to play hockey with that ham. I hope you brought something else for lunch. :D

[@MeAncient]

I like the hockey idea, for sure. TFW!

[@spencermorrow2899]

Hope you’ll get more of these c rations but in much better condition

[@MeAncient]

Spencer, I don't think it's very likely that 50 plus year old canned food items will still be good. I will keep looking, for sure. TFW!

[@American_Videos.]

funny how ace said, "Little sus"

[@tearsofjoy5416]

14:10 I laughed pretty hard

[@Talonthir]

Find a smoker and see if they are willing to try them. Pretty sure they would. I'm a former smoke and when I smoked I would've. Good stuff me ancient!

[@MeAncient]

Tks for the idea, Kevin. TFW!

[@sleevelessace]

hey ancient just wanted to let you know something as i care about you and asa n love your vids, i watch other mre reviewers and when they open C, and K rations they wear protective masks and gloves because apparently the black mold is very bad to breath in or if u cut yourself on the can or have a open cut its dangerous and they said they learnt the hard way.... but they do it indoors maybe thats why? im sure you guys are fine but just something i wanted to mention ! much love

[@ADrunkBassist]

It's wild I've seen rations unboxed from the 1900s and they were still edible but nothing in these was still good.

[@ryanbales8116]

Probably has to do with storage.

[@kevinprime6795]

im thousands of miles away and i can smell it from here lol

[@denisewallace8893]

I liked the video my dad use to give us the crackers and chocolate.

[@MeAncient]

My wife's father would come home with that as well sometimes when she was a little girl. TFW, Denise!

[@fredswanson156]

Great video as always. Now go get some snapper and eat good.

[@magking1971]

Those p38s could act just as well as john wayne

[@JamesJohnsonFishing]

10:04 Smoke em' if you got em' 🤣

[@MeAncient]

James, I heard that lots when I was in bootcamp, for sure. TFW!

[@yungtuna]

I don’t know if you can legally sell the cigarettes but they are certainly a cool collectors itsm

[@cashus68]

Oh SHIT !! I was 3 months old, and my dad was in boot camp at Fort Lewis Washington LOLOLOL !!

[@cozmo562]

Wonder how much that case costs it’s in pretty remarkable condition

[@vipergtsmre]

Just the accesory pack (w/cigs) can sell for $100 each😬

[@Roadcalldude]

You could send those cigs to MRE Steve. He tries them out. Really enjoy your videos and stories.

[@MeAncient]

I may use them to raise money for a USMC charity. We'll see.......TFW!

[@EricGiebel-hs7uv]

My Granddad was a p-47 pilot in ww2. He quit smokin luckies in the mid 80s just to find that he had cancer anyway. He just kept tellin me how much money he saved by quitting

[@MeAncient]

Eric, old people love saving money. I know......Bless your grandfather. You are fortunate to have such great heritage. TFW

[@JesusIsMyFirst]

Does the lucky strike box say L.S./M.F.T. on the bottom? Jack Benny used to promote those cigarettes on his show.

[@jeorgedavid3239]

Yep that was jack Benny line lsmft (lucky strike means fine tobacco)

[@Emeraldwitch30]

Sell them on ebay. The mini cigarettes packs are highly sought after in certain brands.

[@medka7761]

I'm in the same city as you and ace, I would love to take those lucky strikes off of your hands if you are willing to part ways with them. never seen a pack with 3-4 in them.

[@baldfatman5374]

How many calories are in those C rations I wonder.

[@allenlong5579]

and i would buy it saw others have lit and smoked them this year and all was very good and better than todays cigs

[@WeOutChea]

Hey me ancient .. I’m Micah neighbor.. where you get these c ration from ? Can you bring some next time you come down so I can grab from him to try

[@johngriggsjr.2271]

Hopefully you find one with a Twinkie. I want to see how they hold up after 54 years.

[@eltenda]

All nice and not edible for sure lol! Nice review!

[@MeAncient]

You got that right! TFW, el tenda!

[@Droodog127]

shame they go bad like that , be nice to see a recreated original recipe version , I have a reproduction with cans you fill with modern food for reenactors but I miss the original flavors from the past

[@MeAncient]

Those C rats were good, I always thought. TFW!

[@bruceducker2029]

Sad that C's don't hold up thru time. I used to enjoy the diversity of the menu.... but when I was in 81-86 we got c's or dehydrated burgers or pork chops. But the weird part was they had beans and meatballs and spaghetti and frankfurters. Go figure. They folks in the lab must have had fun with the menu. The dehyds were actually pretty good. When they said we had burgers, I was surprised. The cooks really did a good job.... quite tasty

[@catfisher2471]

Hey you should have put the canned ham on a hook! It would have re hydrated in the water! Lmao! Retired Army Ft Campbell.

[@MeAncient]

I'm going to have to do something like that soon. TFW, Paul!

[@catfisher2471]

@@MeAncient see if you can find some of the old brown MRE,s would love to see some vids if that! Remember the old choc bars or track blocks! Lol

[@coreyjones3443]

My grandfather saved a pack of camels from his world war 2 rations when he came back home, I think we still have them at my parent's house, along with some nazi medals and I think some old French currency that he brought home.

[@MeAncient]

Corey, that's cool! TFW and telling me a great memory.

[@kevinkeener3216]

Can the gum make you sick? Have you ever gotten sick from eating anything from an mre? I love the videos.

[@MeAncient]

I've never been sick from the gum, Kevin. I've never been ill from eating the MREs. TFW!

[@terrencejohnson9577]

I dont even have any advice on how to make those edible brother 🤣

[@MeAncient]

No kidding, eh, Terrence? TFW

[@terrencejohnson9577]

@@MeAncient I'd say maybe hot sauce and some ozark moonshine but I dont know if that would even work lol