The field ration eating device (FRED) is an Australian eating utensil and multi-tool that serves as a combination of a can opener, bottle opener, and spoon. It is issued to the Australian Defence Force for use with its Combat Ration One Man field rations, and was first issued around 1943.[1][2]
Its NATO Stock Number (NSN) is 7330-66-010-0931 and the item name is "opener, hand, can".[3][4] It is also humorously referred to as the "fucking ridiculous eating device".[5][6][7]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ "Farewell, old Fred". Army – The Soldiers' Newspaper 6 October 2005 Edition #1130 : Letters to the Editor. Coordination and Public Affairs; Directorate of Defence Newspapers (Australian Army). 6 October 2005. Retrieved 5 November 2007.
- ^ "Fred's friend's left with sour taste". Army – The Soldiers' Newspaper 20 October 2005 Edition #1131 : Letters to the Editor. Australian Army. 20 October 2005. Retrieved 5 November 2007.
- ^ "NSN search result: 7330-66-010-0931". ISO Group. Retrieved 13 March 2023.
- ^ Bui, Lan; McLaughlin, Tracey; Coad, Ross. "Compliance of 2012/13 Combat Ration Packs to the Recommended Nutritional Criteria" (PDF). Defence Science and Technology Organisation. p. 40. Retrieved 13 March 2023.
- ^ "A history of modern military rations". MetaFilter:community weblog. 2005. Retrieved 5 November 2007.
A similar device is currently employed by the Australian Army in its ration kits. It is known by the acronym "FRED" (Fucking Ridiculous Eating Device).
- ^ Hardiman, Graeme. "The Malayan Emergency. 2RAR 1956/57". 2RAR. Digger History: an unofficial history of the Australian & New Zealand Armed Forces. Retrieved 5 November 2007.
I remember the spoon come tin opener that was in later years nicknamed "Fred" (f****ing ridiculous eating device)
- ^ "Australian Ration pack Contents". Ration Pack. Australian Defence News & Opinion – MilitaryPeople.com.au. 2007. Archived from the original on 12 October 2007. Retrieved 5 November 2007.
Further reading
edit- "Australian military slang". Appendix. Wiktionary. Retrieved 5 November 2007.
External links
edit
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Field Ration Eating Device.
- "Ration Packs, Combat Rations, Rat Packs, Chew & Spew". Oz Current: Food. Digger History: an unofficial history of the Australian & New Zealand Armed Forces. Retrieved 5 November 2007.
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