A-ration

[2] The A-ration differs from other U.S. alphabetized rations such as the B-ration, consisting of canned or preserved food; C-ration, consisting of prepared wet food when A- and B-rations are not available; D-ration, consisting of military chocolate; K-ration, consisting of three balanced meals; and emergency rations, intended for emergencies when other food or rations are unavailable.

[3] A-rations today may include the Unitized Group Ration – A, a hybrid meal kit designed to feed a group of 50 people for one meal.

The UGR-A has several different varieties, including a tray-based heat and serve (T-rat) form, heated by hot water immersion when a field kitchen is not available,[4] or the express form, with a self-heating module and disposable accessories.

[5] The UGR-A is used to sustain military personnel during worldwide operations that allow organized food service facilities.

The UGR-A includes perishable/frozen type entrees (A-rations) along with commercial-type components and perishable/frozen type entrees to provide the luxury of an A-ration meal in the field, configured into individual meal modules for ease of ordering, distribution, and preparation.

United States Marine Corps -issued A-ration, colloquially known as a "bag nasty" or "box nasty". In this case the box held two sandwiches , cereal , fresh fruit , crackers , peanut butter , jam , a muffin , salt , pepper , and a drink.