DAILY MESSING RATES

The allowances per day for catering purposes, are based on a ration scale costed at current prices and known as the daily messing rate (DMR). The ration scale is the same for all three services, and contrary to popular Army belief, the RAF are not supplied with wine etc at public expense. The rate per day is the amount that the catering organisation has to feed each individual serviceman or servicewoman.

The scale is costed to the supply source of the food items. When the source of supply is more expensive, due to local conditions, the DMR is set higher, to take account of local costs. A general overseas ration scale exists for overseas bases and attachments. This scale has a higher calorific value to take into account the conditions of heat, cold or humidity that can be encountered.

The UK ration scale is designed to provide 2,900 kilocalories nett - that is after loss through preparation and cooking. The general overseas ration scale includes an arduous duty allowance to allow for climate and provides some 3,400 kilocalories nett. In field conditions where personnel are fed from operational ration packs, 3,800 kilocalories are provided.

RLC Catering Units feed the Army generally using detachments of cooks attached to units.

At the beginning of 2005, the daily messing rate (DMR) was approximately £1.83 per day per soldier. With this amount,  RLC cooks in barracks have to provide three meals per day.

Ration scales vary according to location. The home ration scale in the UK is designed to provide 2,900 kilo-calories nett - that is, after loss through preparation and cooking. The general overseas ration scale used in overseas bases, includes an arduous duty allowance, to allow for climate and provides 3,400 kilo-calories nett. In field conditions, where personnel are fed from operational ration packs, 3,800 kilo‑calories are provided.<O:P> </O:P>