Page "C-ration" Paragraph 3

The C ration was replaced in 1958 with the Meal Combat Individual ( MCI ).

Although officially a new ration, the MCI was derived from and very similar to the original C ration, and in fact continued to be called " C rations " by American troops throughout its production life as a combat ration ( 1958 – 1980 ).

Although the replacement for the MCI, the MRE, was formally adopted as the Department of Defense combat ration in 1975, the first large-scale production test did not occur until in 1978 with the first MRE I rations packed and delivered in 1981.

While the MRE officially replaced the MCI in 1981, previously packed MCI rations continued to be issued until depleted.