How Smaller, Nutrient-Dense Rations Support Changing Warfighter Needs
December 17, 2025War Department experts constantly research and implement new technologies to improve the food that supports service members’ ever-changing nutritional needs. A few new creations are helping to optimize warfighter performance during combat and recovery.
The future of expeditionary warfare is currently focused on small, self-sustained units who can operate for extended periods of time in combat areas where food supplies may not be established. One new product supporting that concept is the close combat assault ration, which was made available for the services to procure through the Defense Logistics Agency Troop Support in July.
The CCAR replaces the First Strike Ration that provided 72 hours of nutrition and was first fielded a decade ago. Since then, experts determined the FSR was too bulky for those longer missions.
“The close combat assault ration is 17% lighter and 39% smaller,” explained Dr. Erin Gaffney-Stomberg, division chief of the Army Combat Capabilities Development Command Soldier Center’s Combat Feeding Division in Natick, Massachusetts, that created the ration. “From a nutrition standpoint, they’re pretty much equivalent.”
