In 10 years I met exactly *one* soldier that claimed to be and actually made a reasonable attempt to remain vegetarian--he was Buddhist. Back when I was in, NOTHING was vegan and damn little was vegetarian, but we did our damnedest to accommodate. It wasn't enough, and there were a few occasions he'd willingly go hungry when no vegetarian option was available. Deployment was the worst, the little COP we were on in Afghanistan was only sporadically supplied due to altitude and weather, and on more than one occasion we resorted to buying livestock from the locals and shooting and cooking whatever wildlife we could. There were times he was forced to eat burnt goat because that was the only food we had or would have for the foreseeable future (week+).
I know that it probably won’t mean much to you for me to say this, but as someone that also has religious dietary restrictions, I grew up being told that people would hate me and make fun of me, I also accepted the fact that whenever I went to parties or work related events that I just might not be able to eat. So believe me when I say that just by TRYING, you made him feel so happy. When my friend asks me if I want eggs bc if so she’ll cook it before the bacon it makes me so happy, I almost cry. So thank you, you made a difference.
Now that I'm out, one of my best friends has a pretty severe diet restriction due to cancer. I do my goddamn best to accomodate. I've learned to cook AND BAKE vegan, low-sodium zero-sugar because of him. Not only has it made me a better and more well-rounded cook, I feel like it's made us *significantly* closer.
I never had to deal with these issues in the Army, because it simply never came up. But for when it DOES come up, there is *always* a work-around. That work-around may be extremely high-effort, and depending on your position may not seem worth it, but I *swear from the bottom of my soul, on every tenet that makes me a person* it IS WORTH IT.
It truly makes a difference for me to say that I’m happy to do something for someone, instead of it’s no bother or not a problem. Some people are worth the hassle. I’ve had to learn that I would do the same for others so why can’t I?
So thank you, I’ve told my two recent friends, that none of us are going to make it by ourselves. I’m glad that I get to help them.
I was vegan in 11b OSUT(as close as you can be becuase you don’t know what’s in everything), and for three years in the guard, vegetarian now. Your soldier needs to face the brute reality that the culture isn’t built for them, and have some snacks to supplement their MREs (Ik it’s not the best but it’s necessary esp in the field) I usually go for some high calorie things like clif bars or fruits. Vegan is especially hard because almost everything has some sort of animal products. If they are taking an absolutest mindset then obviously that’s more difficult but they might need to rely on eating the same things over and over again. I know I did
I've had exactly one soldier go through the process of getting religious accommodation for a vegan diet. She was chill with the halal MREs, but then when we came up on a deployment rotation she refused to participate in BTC3 (we were all medics in a Role 1 BN aid station.) She was kicked out. I won't elaborate here for obvious reasons on how her refusal went down, but if you're a medic, you know.
I also met a pilot with a vegan religious accommodation who was Christian, who could offer up multiple bible verses supporting her stance. That was interesting. But again, was very cool and understanding about the limited menu. That rotation didn't have any vegan MREs but everyone was happy to share individual vegan items out of their own MREs to make her a proper meal, and she would supplement with shelf-stable food items she bought for herself.
Individually, there's not much you can do. It's a pretty restrictive accommodation, and MREs are trying to meet certain nutritional requirements. There's not incentive to create more vegan menu items. The best I think you can do is keep doing what you're doing, unfortunately.
Yep, I know that training. Went to FT Sam for it once and then again at some farm in NC that was run by Asymmetric Warfare Group before we deployed. Got way more out of the cadaver lab we did at Wake Forest than any of the LTT.
Yeah, ultimately it just seemed like a massive waste. My skills as a medic were far more improved by a paramedic course through Fort Bragg that included a cadaver lab. Medics need hands-on training, but it needs to be real people, in a variety of situations that force us to use critical thinking and balance multiple issues. It was also a real shame about that soldier. She was a good medic and that experience jaded her. She never would have deployed with us anyways because she pursued paperwork to become a conscientious objector after that, but I do think it was a traumatic tipping point that didn't need to happen.
Something I’ve heard (but never officially) is that the Army can accommodate vegetarian dietary needs but not vegan. Vegan soldiers can be whatever they want in garrison, but they need to understand the best they can get is vegetarian MREs. That’s what I’ve heard repeated
What you’re doing is great, though. If you can keep getting them halal MREs, keep doing that as often as possible. Unfortunately, a normal MRE box only has two (I think) meals that are vegetarian. I don’t think any of them are vegan
Seventh Day Adventist (a specific sect of Christians), some Hindus, and some Buddhists off the top of my head.
Had a buddy who left Seventh Day Adventism. He had to learn how to grill as an adult. That bastard invented me over for steak...but he'd grilled a slab of chuck, medium rare. Chewiest meal I've ever had.
Yeah, I was raised SDA and joined the Army in 2007. I've told the story on here before, but there wasn't much regarding options for vegetarians back then.
I can answer this- religious accommodations are based in strong *personal* religious beliefs. It helps your packet if there is a norm in your religion that's widely practiced (such as wearing religious headgear like a hijab or turban, or not shaving your beard for a Sikh), but ultimately it just needs to be a strong personal conviction.
The only real life example I have of this is what I mentioned in another comment, a Christian who based her veganism in her faith.
It's a Longshot, but DLA has a product called, "Meal, Alternative Regionally Customized (MARC)". Except for one of the 10 menus, they are Vegan. The one that is not vegan is cheese tortellini. It was designed for Guantanamo Bay detainees, so your ability to actually procure them is probably non-existant, but they do exist.
Good luck. There are a bunch of stuff DLA makes that are really hard to get for some reason that I would love to be able to get for my guys. The "Modular Operational Ration Enhancement (MORE)" is probably the best thing ever. If I could replace about 10% of my on hand MREs with those, my Joes would be over the moon.
in my 7 years in, i’ve had exactly 1 meal that was specifically made for me as a vegetarian. otherwise i either planned ahead and brought my own meals, eaten the rice and salad, and found the only 3 tolerable MRE’s that are vegetarian. Vegan i can’t say, but vegetarians definitely don’t have people advocating much for them either. in my experience i’ve always been the only one, and never been loud enough about it to make a difference because ill just always bring my own food. caterers, dfac, NG cooks in the field for FTX’s and all that jazz have just made meals and i’ve eaten two scoops of mashed potatoes and said no meat, or traded my piece of pork for a scoop of someone’s rice. I know i can, and should ask people to make arrangements before me because i have that right, but i’m not going to be the only one, and again, i can just do it myself. not trying to cause waves or bring any unnecessary attention to myself.
I understand where you're coming from as a person. but the army doesn't acknowledge personal dietary preferences as an obligatory entitlement from them to you as they do religious dietary preferences. so they're definitely under no requirement to fulfill requests for vegetarian dietary needs, so... kinda not a right?
but yes definitely agree any good leader that cares about their soldiers should try and make sure they have something that is nutritional and within their gastronomical parameters.
When I joined I was a vegan. Transitioned to being a vegetarian because there was pretty much nothing that could accommodate me as a vegan in the Army. Eventually I fell off being a vegetarian because my first couple years in the Army were filled with field time and a unit that didn’t care to accommodate. I’ve considered going back to being a vegetarian given I now generally have control over what I eat and there are a lot more vegetarian/vegan options compared to a couple decades ago.
Ultimately, depending on why the Soldier is a vegetarian there may be some leeway they have to consider adopting. The advantage that Soldier has is that you care, so theoretically you can champion for their needs and back them if need be. Especially relevant if they have a religious waiver approved and on paper, should force the unit to consider it.
BLUF: vegetarian in the Army is easy, Vegan (diet) is challenging but possible, real vegan is impossible (imo)
Make a statement on long field problems and when preparing to all your Soldiers: veggie pasta, creamy spinach, and elbow macaroni MREs are for that soldier (i think those are vegan) I make a point if I see an open box to just snag one and keep some on standby in my ruck/ garage.
Vegetarian is not only totally possible but honestly easy in the Army.
Vegan is a different story. Much respect but as others have said the machine wasn’t built for it. Still very possible and If it means enough to them they’ll make it work. Trail mix on field problems is going to be their best friend. I had a team leader back in the day that was “vegan” (in diet) and you’d never know unless you paid attention to what he was eating or asked.
Also: you can’t be vegan and wear 670-1 compliant boots or use any animal products. If they’re for real about that life, they (and you) should be tracking what it actually means.
What religion are they claiming demands vegan?
Actually I think Oakley light boots are unintentionally vegan, but I do agree with you generally, most things in the army aren’t geared towards a vegan lifestyle
If their command team is willing bas.
If the SM is a in danger of malnutrition they can get BAS.
Have them see your MTFs dietitian.
Beans and rice go a long way. Add a few peppers and mushrooms and fortified cereals. boom you could survive the rest of your life.
Beans and rice with some veggies thrown in will provide all the nutrients someone needs with some additions.
No combination of beans and rice will provide a complete protein/B-vitamin spread. It gets close, but they *will* need supplements which generally do not list their vegan-compliance.
It can be done with enough research and supplemental nutrition but all that goes out the window with the first austere posting/combat deployment.
As an example, I am NOT vegan/vegetarian, I'm not even a picky eater. I spent 6 months in southern Africa on a non-combat deployment and the food scarcity led to me losing 40lbs. I was not overweight when I went, I dropped from 170lbs to 130lbs in 6 months and I'm 5'9" tall.
Oh I completely agree with you that all of this goes out the window in austere combat environments.
Fortified breakfast cereals or snack bars are good snack item as well for vegans that will add those lacking nutrients beans and rice may does not cover.
Like one comment said these are preferences.
Every day I ask my patients if they have cultural or religious food preferences to check that box. Just like I ask about food insecurity.
This soldier has high food preferences and relatively high food insecurity depending on the military environment.
As I remembered, each mre box should have 1 vegan meal. And that usually be mushroom spaghetti. And it will be the least wanted mre along with spinach egg noodles. And for Hala meal, that is a whole separate box. And that only available through chaplains.
Vegan and vegetarian are two similar, but different things. A vegetarian typically wouldn't think twice about eating a tortilla, a vegan on the other hand would need to know if the tortilla was made with lard or shortening. Traditionally most are made with lard and would not be vegan-friendly. You mention egg noodles, but those aren't vegan. Most pastries contain butter, most cane sugar contains bone...
Had the soldier put in for separate rations? With the religious accommodation in place separate rations should be authorized. It can take the COC a little while to process the request. I know this only keeps the soldier from having to eat at the DFAC but it's a start. As far as field training goes I suggest the soldier stock piles food for the field.
* BAS can be done with a 4187. Soldier should go to the Commissary and stock up.
* The soldier can go to the DFAC and pay for salads and whatnot.
* If the barracks allows a fridge, that's good. If not, a policy letter so he can go and get one. That said, most barracks should allow a fridge.
* Soldier should have some dry goods in case the barracks loses power during an FTX or when they're TDY. Food to eat in case the fridge dies and the food spoils.
There were quite a few vegetarians in my OCS class. They all passed out multiple times when we went to the field for land nav/stx.
Dietary preferences for the sake of dietary preferences are just that, preferences. I prefer not to eat fish/seafood. If I get stuck with a tuna MRE, I'm trading it or just not eating the tuna.
I 100% do not expect the Army to accomadate my dislike of fish and go out of its way to make sure I never have to eat fish.
Dietary restrictions based on religious preference are a different thing, although it is still a preference. It seems it is more serious if you say I prefer this religion that says I can't eat pork or requires halal/kosher items, than if you say I prefer not to eat animals.
Out of curiosity, why do you feel that way? Is an atheist who is sincerely committed to being vegetarian/vegan less worthy of having their dietary "preferences" met just because they aren't religious?
I have no religious or moral issues with any food item. I generally don't like fish, and moreover when I eat a fish-based meal I feel like shit for literally days afterward. Even the fish dishes I DO like make me feel like shit for days afterward.
I don't know if it's a mild allergy or just an intolerance or low exposure or what, but if I'm expected to be in a high-exertion role I 100% want to avoid any meal containing even trace amounts of fish, because the physical ramifications of me eating it (even unknowingly) are well-documented and consistent.
well not really a "feel" type of thing. just a that's the way it is type of thing.
personally, I find the reasoning/conviction for some people's personal dietary preferences (vegan/vegetarianism) to be far stronger than that of people that claim religious dietary preferences.
But the army for some reason says it only counts if it's a religious preference.
I am very much a rule follower, but also like to interpret the spirit of the law not the letter of it.
Yeah, I don’t buy that at all. I’ve never had a problem being vegetarian. “Yo, DS/Sir, I’m vegetarian can I get the veggie MRE?”
Every vegetarian passes out in the field multiple times lmaooo?
I don’t understand how that would even happen. Several people passing out several times seems like something was wrong beyond only eating vegetarian MREs.
well, you don't have to buy it as it's my experience not yours.
There was a guy that was a mid 20s, athletic, played sports all his life, police officer on the civilian side. he knew how to manage his caloric intake and hydration. he passed out once while out there. guy had no dietary restrictions.
So yes, very possible that the vegetarian people (these specific ones were not athletic/active lifestyle types) who were unaccustomed to performing nonstop intense physical requirements in the Georgia heat/humidity, while not getting a diet catered to their vegetarian dietary preference would pass out multiple times through the different field iterations.
I've had a couple vegan troops. Universally we attempted to supply them with valid dietary options. DFAC, field feeding teams and MREs fell short, always.
Actions that DID work. A: ETP for BAS for them and B: alloted unit funds to purchase vegan meals off the economy to be provided to them at no cost during field exercises.
In the few situations where there were zero viable options they just ate the vegetarian MREs and went on about their day.
In 10 years I met exactly *one* soldier that claimed to be and actually made a reasonable attempt to remain vegetarian--he was Buddhist. Back when I was in, NOTHING was vegan and damn little was vegetarian, but we did our damnedest to accommodate. It wasn't enough, and there were a few occasions he'd willingly go hungry when no vegetarian option was available. Deployment was the worst, the little COP we were on in Afghanistan was only sporadically supplied due to altitude and weather, and on more than one occasion we resorted to buying livestock from the locals and shooting and cooking whatever wildlife we could. There were times he was forced to eat burnt goat because that was the only food we had or would have for the foreseeable future (week+).
I know that it probably won’t mean much to you for me to say this, but as someone that also has religious dietary restrictions, I grew up being told that people would hate me and make fun of me, I also accepted the fact that whenever I went to parties or work related events that I just might not be able to eat. So believe me when I say that just by TRYING, you made him feel so happy. When my friend asks me if I want eggs bc if so she’ll cook it before the bacon it makes me so happy, I almost cry. So thank you, you made a difference.
Now that I'm out, one of my best friends has a pretty severe diet restriction due to cancer. I do my goddamn best to accomodate. I've learned to cook AND BAKE vegan, low-sodium zero-sugar because of him. Not only has it made me a better and more well-rounded cook, I feel like it's made us *significantly* closer. I never had to deal with these issues in the Army, because it simply never came up. But for when it DOES come up, there is *always* a work-around. That work-around may be extremely high-effort, and depending on your position may not seem worth it, but I *swear from the bottom of my soul, on every tenet that makes me a person* it IS WORTH IT.
It truly makes a difference for me to say that I’m happy to do something for someone, instead of it’s no bother or not a problem. Some people are worth the hassle. I’ve had to learn that I would do the same for others so why can’t I? So thank you, I’ve told my two recent friends, that none of us are going to make it by ourselves. I’m glad that I get to help them.
I was vegan in 11b OSUT(as close as you can be becuase you don’t know what’s in everything), and for three years in the guard, vegetarian now. Your soldier needs to face the brute reality that the culture isn’t built for them, and have some snacks to supplement their MREs (Ik it’s not the best but it’s necessary esp in the field) I usually go for some high calorie things like clif bars or fruits. Vegan is especially hard because almost everything has some sort of animal products. If they are taking an absolutest mindset then obviously that’s more difficult but they might need to rely on eating the same things over and over again. I know I did
Came here to say this. We had a vegan dude who was also 11B and he managed to do it but he also had to bring his own vegan snacks and things at times.
I've had exactly one soldier go through the process of getting religious accommodation for a vegan diet. She was chill with the halal MREs, but then when we came up on a deployment rotation she refused to participate in BTC3 (we were all medics in a Role 1 BN aid station.) She was kicked out. I won't elaborate here for obvious reasons on how her refusal went down, but if you're a medic, you know. I also met a pilot with a vegan religious accommodation who was Christian, who could offer up multiple bible verses supporting her stance. That was interesting. But again, was very cool and understanding about the limited menu. That rotation didn't have any vegan MREs but everyone was happy to share individual vegan items out of their own MREs to make her a proper meal, and she would supplement with shelf-stable food items she bought for herself. Individually, there's not much you can do. It's a pretty restrictive accommodation, and MREs are trying to meet certain nutritional requirements. There's not incentive to create more vegan menu items. The best I think you can do is keep doing what you're doing, unfortunately.
Yep, I know that training. Went to FT Sam for it once and then again at some farm in NC that was run by Asymmetric Warfare Group before we deployed. Got way more out of the cadaver lab we did at Wake Forest than any of the LTT.
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Yeah, ultimately it just seemed like a massive waste. My skills as a medic were far more improved by a paramedic course through Fort Bragg that included a cadaver lab. Medics need hands-on training, but it needs to be real people, in a variety of situations that force us to use critical thinking and balance multiple issues. It was also a real shame about that soldier. She was a good medic and that experience jaded her. She never would have deployed with us anyways because she pursued paperwork to become a conscientious objector after that, but I do think it was a traumatic tipping point that didn't need to happen.
Something I’ve heard (but never officially) is that the Army can accommodate vegetarian dietary needs but not vegan. Vegan soldiers can be whatever they want in garrison, but they need to understand the best they can get is vegetarian MREs. That’s what I’ve heard repeated What you’re doing is great, though. If you can keep getting them halal MREs, keep doing that as often as possible. Unfortunately, a normal MRE box only has two (I think) meals that are vegetarian. I don’t think any of them are vegan
Technically speaking, it's impossible to be a vegan in the Army. Uniforms inlclude animal products.
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Seventh Day Adventist (a specific sect of Christians), some Hindus, and some Buddhists off the top of my head. Had a buddy who left Seventh Day Adventism. He had to learn how to grill as an adult. That bastard invented me over for steak...but he'd grilled a slab of chuck, medium rare. Chewiest meal I've ever had.
Yeah, I was raised SDA and joined the Army in 2007. I've told the story on here before, but there wasn't much regarding options for vegetarians back then.
Humans aren't geared toward veganism, that's why it's so hard to pull off successfully. It's not compatible with field life.
Jains aren’t even really vegan. Idk why anyone wants to be tbh
I can answer this- religious accommodations are based in strong *personal* religious beliefs. It helps your packet if there is a norm in your religion that's widely practiced (such as wearing religious headgear like a hijab or turban, or not shaving your beard for a Sikh), but ultimately it just needs to be a strong personal conviction. The only real life example I have of this is what I mentioned in another comment, a Christian who based her veganism in her faith.
It's a Longshot, but DLA has a product called, "Meal, Alternative Regionally Customized (MARC)". Except for one of the 10 menus, they are Vegan. The one that is not vegan is cheese tortellini. It was designed for Guantanamo Bay detainees, so your ability to actually procure them is probably non-existant, but they do exist.
Interesting. I found the NSN. I’m having my supply sergeant look into it.
Good luck. There are a bunch of stuff DLA makes that are really hard to get for some reason that I would love to be able to get for my guys. The "Modular Operational Ration Enhancement (MORE)" is probably the best thing ever. If I could replace about 10% of my on hand MREs with those, my Joes would be over the moon.
Weird, they handed them out like candy before every ACFT and ruck we did back in basic.
I've seen TRADOC units and group get them but I've never been able to get them in a normal unit.
in my 7 years in, i’ve had exactly 1 meal that was specifically made for me as a vegetarian. otherwise i either planned ahead and brought my own meals, eaten the rice and salad, and found the only 3 tolerable MRE’s that are vegetarian. Vegan i can’t say, but vegetarians definitely don’t have people advocating much for them either. in my experience i’ve always been the only one, and never been loud enough about it to make a difference because ill just always bring my own food. caterers, dfac, NG cooks in the field for FTX’s and all that jazz have just made meals and i’ve eaten two scoops of mashed potatoes and said no meat, or traded my piece of pork for a scoop of someone’s rice. I know i can, and should ask people to make arrangements before me because i have that right, but i’m not going to be the only one, and again, i can just do it myself. not trying to cause waves or bring any unnecessary attention to myself.
I understand where you're coming from as a person. but the army doesn't acknowledge personal dietary preferences as an obligatory entitlement from them to you as they do religious dietary preferences. so they're definitely under no requirement to fulfill requests for vegetarian dietary needs, so... kinda not a right? but yes definitely agree any good leader that cares about their soldiers should try and make sure they have something that is nutritional and within their gastronomical parameters.
When I joined I was a vegan. Transitioned to being a vegetarian because there was pretty much nothing that could accommodate me as a vegan in the Army. Eventually I fell off being a vegetarian because my first couple years in the Army were filled with field time and a unit that didn’t care to accommodate. I’ve considered going back to being a vegetarian given I now generally have control over what I eat and there are a lot more vegetarian/vegan options compared to a couple decades ago. Ultimately, depending on why the Soldier is a vegetarian there may be some leeway they have to consider adopting. The advantage that Soldier has is that you care, so theoretically you can champion for their needs and back them if need be. Especially relevant if they have a religious waiver approved and on paper, should force the unit to consider it.
BLUF: vegetarian in the Army is easy, Vegan (diet) is challenging but possible, real vegan is impossible (imo) Make a statement on long field problems and when preparing to all your Soldiers: veggie pasta, creamy spinach, and elbow macaroni MREs are for that soldier (i think those are vegan) I make a point if I see an open box to just snag one and keep some on standby in my ruck/ garage. Vegetarian is not only totally possible but honestly easy in the Army. Vegan is a different story. Much respect but as others have said the machine wasn’t built for it. Still very possible and If it means enough to them they’ll make it work. Trail mix on field problems is going to be their best friend. I had a team leader back in the day that was “vegan” (in diet) and you’d never know unless you paid attention to what he was eating or asked. Also: you can’t be vegan and wear 670-1 compliant boots or use any animal products. If they’re for real about that life, they (and you) should be tracking what it actually means. What religion are they claiming demands vegan?
Actually I think Oakley light boots are unintentionally vegan, but I do agree with you generally, most things in the army aren’t geared towards a vegan lifestyle
There are probably some weird boots that might be.. just looked at Oakley though “genuine leather upper” lol
Sorry I had the wrong one, apparently it’s the “5.11 speed 3.0 rapid dry boot” but yeah you’re right haha
If their command team is willing bas. If the SM is a in danger of malnutrition they can get BAS. Have them see your MTFs dietitian. Beans and rice go a long way. Add a few peppers and mushrooms and fortified cereals. boom you could survive the rest of your life. Beans and rice with some veggies thrown in will provide all the nutrients someone needs with some additions.
No combination of beans and rice will provide a complete protein/B-vitamin spread. It gets close, but they *will* need supplements which generally do not list their vegan-compliance. It can be done with enough research and supplemental nutrition but all that goes out the window with the first austere posting/combat deployment. As an example, I am NOT vegan/vegetarian, I'm not even a picky eater. I spent 6 months in southern Africa on a non-combat deployment and the food scarcity led to me losing 40lbs. I was not overweight when I went, I dropped from 170lbs to 130lbs in 6 months and I'm 5'9" tall.
Oh I completely agree with you that all of this goes out the window in austere combat environments. Fortified breakfast cereals or snack bars are good snack item as well for vegans that will add those lacking nutrients beans and rice may does not cover. Like one comment said these are preferences. Every day I ask my patients if they have cultural or religious food preferences to check that box. Just like I ask about food insecurity. This soldier has high food preferences and relatively high food insecurity depending on the military environment.
Are Kosher meals an option?
Kosher isn’t remotely vegan. Kosher Menu Tuscany Beef w/Cannellini Beans Hickory Smoked Beef in Brown Rice with Lentils & Vegetables Jalapeno Curry Beef w/Potatoes Chicken & Rice Spicy Southwest Chicken in Rice w/Vegetables Pasta Marinara Chicken Noodle Spicy Vegetarian Chili Chicken Royale w/Brown Rice Classic Chicken Curry w/Basmati Rice, Lentils & Vegetables New Orleans Gumbo w/Chicken Smoked Beef Paprikash Noodles & Vegetables
As I remembered, each mre box should have 1 vegan meal. And that usually be mushroom spaghetti. And it will be the least wanted mre along with spinach egg noodles. And for Hala meal, that is a whole separate box. And that only available through chaplains.
Vegan and vegetarian are two similar, but different things. A vegetarian typically wouldn't think twice about eating a tortilla, a vegan on the other hand would need to know if the tortilla was made with lard or shortening. Traditionally most are made with lard and would not be vegan-friendly. You mention egg noodles, but those aren't vegan. Most pastries contain butter, most cane sugar contains bone...
I don’t think egg noodle is vagan. The only reason I mentioned it is just because it is one of the two always left over mre.
Had the soldier put in for separate rations? With the religious accommodation in place separate rations should be authorized. It can take the COC a little while to process the request. I know this only keeps the soldier from having to eat at the DFAC but it's a start. As far as field training goes I suggest the soldier stock piles food for the field.
* BAS can be done with a 4187. Soldier should go to the Commissary and stock up. * The soldier can go to the DFAC and pay for salads and whatnot. * If the barracks allows a fridge, that's good. If not, a policy letter so he can go and get one. That said, most barracks should allow a fridge. * Soldier should have some dry goods in case the barracks loses power during an FTX or when they're TDY. Food to eat in case the fridge dies and the food spoils.
Im vegetarian/pescatarian, not vegan. I’ve been a veg-head for all 30 years of my life. I don’t know how being vegan would work.
There were quite a few vegetarians in my OCS class. They all passed out multiple times when we went to the field for land nav/stx. Dietary preferences for the sake of dietary preferences are just that, preferences. I prefer not to eat fish/seafood. If I get stuck with a tuna MRE, I'm trading it or just not eating the tuna. I 100% do not expect the Army to accomadate my dislike of fish and go out of its way to make sure I never have to eat fish. Dietary restrictions based on religious preference are a different thing, although it is still a preference. It seems it is more serious if you say I prefer this religion that says I can't eat pork or requires halal/kosher items, than if you say I prefer not to eat animals.
Out of curiosity, why do you feel that way? Is an atheist who is sincerely committed to being vegetarian/vegan less worthy of having their dietary "preferences" met just because they aren't religious?
I have no religious or moral issues with any food item. I generally don't like fish, and moreover when I eat a fish-based meal I feel like shit for literally days afterward. Even the fish dishes I DO like make me feel like shit for days afterward. I don't know if it's a mild allergy or just an intolerance or low exposure or what, but if I'm expected to be in a high-exertion role I 100% want to avoid any meal containing even trace amounts of fish, because the physical ramifications of me eating it (even unknowingly) are well-documented and consistent.
well not really a "feel" type of thing. just a that's the way it is type of thing. personally, I find the reasoning/conviction for some people's personal dietary preferences (vegan/vegetarianism) to be far stronger than that of people that claim religious dietary preferences. But the army for some reason says it only counts if it's a religious preference. I am very much a rule follower, but also like to interpret the spirit of the law not the letter of it.
Yeah, I don’t buy that at all. I’ve never had a problem being vegetarian. “Yo, DS/Sir, I’m vegetarian can I get the veggie MRE?” Every vegetarian passes out in the field multiple times lmaooo? I don’t understand how that would even happen. Several people passing out several times seems like something was wrong beyond only eating vegetarian MREs.
well, you don't have to buy it as it's my experience not yours. There was a guy that was a mid 20s, athletic, played sports all his life, police officer on the civilian side. he knew how to manage his caloric intake and hydration. he passed out once while out there. guy had no dietary restrictions. So yes, very possible that the vegetarian people (these specific ones were not athletic/active lifestyle types) who were unaccustomed to performing nonstop intense physical requirements in the Georgia heat/humidity, while not getting a diet catered to their vegetarian dietary preference would pass out multiple times through the different field iterations.
Yup, I don’t buy it.
Immediately transfer him to another unit. How can you trust a man next to you who won’t have a good ole fashioned Costco hotdog?
They need to make better lifestyle choices. Either they eat different foods, or ETS. Just do what you're doing in the meantime.
What does the Chaplain say?
Huh, I was under the impression that the Halal meals were vegan, but maybe I was getting it confused with vegetarian. What isn’t vegan in them?
I think that’s a common misconception a lot of people have….almost all the meals in Halal have meat in them.
Yeah, I was totally wrong then. I thought they were all at least Vegetarian.
Let suffer and figure it out. There are vegetarian MREs
I've had a couple vegan troops. Universally we attempted to supply them with valid dietary options. DFAC, field feeding teams and MREs fell short, always. Actions that DID work. A: ETP for BAS for them and B: alloted unit funds to purchase vegan meals off the economy to be provided to them at no cost during field exercises. In the few situations where there were zero viable options they just ate the vegetarian MREs and went on about their day.