Field ration eating device explained

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

• P-38 can opener
• Combination eating utensils

Further reading

• Web site: Australian military slang . Appendix. Wiktionary . 2007-11-05 .

External links

• Web site: Ration Packs, Combat Rations, Rat Packs, Chew & Spew . Oz Current: Food . Digger History: an unofficial history of the Australian & New Zealand Armed Forces . 2007-11-05 .

Notes and References

1. Web site: 6 October 2005 . Farewell, old Fred . 5 November 2007 . Army – The Soldiers' Newspaper 6 October 2005 Edition #1130 : Letters to the Editor . Coordination and Public Affairs; Directorate of Defence Newspapers (Australian Army).
2. Web site: 20 October 2005 . Fred's friend's left with sour taste . 2007-11-05 . Army – The Soldiers' Newspaper 20 October 2005 Edition #1131 : Letters to the Editor . Australian Army.
3. Web site: NSN search result: 7330-66-010-0931. ISO Group. 2023-03-13 .
4. Web site: Compliance of 2012/13 Combat Ration Packs to the Recommended Nutritional Criteria. Defence Science and Technology Organisation. 13 March 2023. Lan . Bui. Tracey . McLaughlin. Ross . Coad. 40.
5. Web site: 2005 . A history of modern military rations . 5 November 2007 . MetaFilter:community weblog . 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)..
6. Web site: Hardiman . Graeme . The Malayan Emergency. 2RAR 1956/57 . 5 November 2007 . 2RAR . Digger History: an unofficial history of the Australian & New Zealand Armed Forces . I remember the spoon come tin opener that was in later years nicknamed "Fred" (f****ing ridiculous eating device).
7. Web site: 2007 . Australian Ration pack Contents . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20071012083346/http://www.militarypeople.com.au/mainsite/content/view/175/50/ . 2007-10-12 . 2007-11-05 . Ration Pack . Australian Defence News & Opinion – MilitaryPeople.com.au.