The Meal, Ready-to-Eat, or MRE (pronounced "M-R-E") is a self-contained, individual field ration in lightweight packaging procured by the United States military for its service-members for use in combat or other field conditions where organized food facilities are not available. The MRE replaced C-rations in 1980 and was the successor to the LRRP ration developed by the U.S. Army for Special Forces and U.S. Army Ranger patrol units in Vietnam.