DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY

UNITED STATES ARMY PUBLIC HEALTH COMMAND

ARMY INSTITUTE PUBLIC HEALTH VETERINARY SERVICES

OPERATIONAL RATIONS INSPECTION PROCEDURE (OPRATS IP09)

1 March 2013

Meal Alternative Regionally Customized Inspection

1.0 PURPOSE: To establish standardized procedures for Meal Alternative Regionally 

Customized (MARC) inspections.

2.0 SCOPE:

2.1 This document applies to Army Veterinary Inspectors (AVI) assigned to post, camp, 

or stations with responsibility for performing receipt, in-storage, warranty, prior to issue, and 

special inspections of MARCs.

2.2 This document discusses procedures and inspection guidance not covered in Defense 

Logistics Agency (DLA) Troop Support Handbook 4155.2 and related appendices.

3.0 DEFINITIONS:

3.1 DLA Troop Support Handbook 4155.2

3.2 DLA Troop Support Handbook 4155.2, Appendix A

3.3 Meal, Alternative Regionally Customized (MARC). A self-contained, shelf stable 

meal that was developed by the U.S. Army Soldier and Biological Chemical Command 

(SBCCOM)/Natick, Individual Combat Ration Team (ICRT), Combat Feeding Directorate 

(CFD) after receiving an urgent request from the Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) to expedite 

the development of a suitable vegetarian ration with unique dietary and component requirements 

designed specifically for detainees at Guantanamo Bay Naval Base (GTMO). The ICRT 

collaborated closely with Defense Logistics Agency-Troop Support and the U.S. Navy food 

service personnel at Guantanamo Bay (GTMO) to determine salient performance characteristics 

and calorie requirements to maximize nutritional benefit and identify component restrictions. 

While created out of a need to support GTMO detainees, the meal may be used for other 

detainees also.

3.4 There are 10 different luncheon entrée menus containing food components familiar 

to Southwest Asian/Middle East populations and each is packaged in a single meal bag. Each 

case contains 10 meals, 1 of each menu.

3.5 The MARC is NOT kosher or halal certified.

3.6 Shelf life – Minimum from time of product assembly:

3.6.1 Minimum – 12 months at 80 degrees Fahrenheit.
OPERATIONAL RATIONS INSPECTION PROCEDURE (OPRATS IP09)

1 March 2013

3.6.2 Contractors will ship the MARC with no less than 9 months shelf-life

remaining.

3.7 Nutritional data - Each MARC meal bag provides a minimum of 700 calories 

(Protein 9-15%, Fat 25-30%, and Carbohydrate NLT 60%).

3.8 USAPHC Oprats IP02.

4.0 REFERENCES:

4.1 DLA Troop Support Handbook 4155.2

4.2 DLA Troop Support Handbook 4155.2, Appendix A

4.3 DSCP website, https://www.troopsupport.dla.mil/subs/rations/programs/index.asp

select “MENUS” for additional information and guidance

4.4 MEDCOM Regulation 40-28

4.5 MEDCOM Pamphlet 40-13

4.6 Natick Pamphlet 30-25, 8th Edition

4.7 DLA Technical Data Packet for Meal Alternative Regionally Customized

4.8 USAPHC Handbook 40-3, Installation Support Plan (ISP) Program

NOTE: The Technical Data Packet for MARC is referenced for information only and may be 

useful during the inspection.

NOTE: The majority of the components for a MARC are the same components found in a 

MRE except the main entree.

5.0 PROCEDURES:

NOTE: DLA Troop Support Handbook 4155.2, Appendix A and its monographs will be the 

primary inspection document to conduct this inspection. So when you see an “IAW Table” 

referenced in this IP it is referring to Appendix A.

5.1 General Examination for Transportation Damage/Obvious Defects.

5.1.1 A complete receipt inspection is not required if a current inspection report 

accompanies the shipment. Inspect the shipment only for transportation damage / obvious 

defects.
OPERATIONAL RATIONS INSPECTION PROCEDURE (OPRATS IP09)

1 March 2013

5.1.2 MARC shipments delivered to various installations directly from the MRE 

assembly plant (Wornick, Ameriqual, and Sopakco) does not require a complete receipt 

inspection. Inspect these deliveries only for transportation damage/obvious defects. Included in 

this group are the rations that were shipped from the MRE assemblers to Tracy or 

Mechanicsburg Depot for further shipment to an installation.

5.1.3 In the event that a transportation damage or obvious defect that may affect 

the product is observed the AVI will perform a complete receipt inspection.

5.2 Types and Frequency of Inspections.

5.2.1 Receipt Inspection – IAW DLA Troop Support Handbook 4155.2, 

Paragraph VIII. A.

5.2.2 In-storage Inspection – IAW DLA Troop Support Handbook 4155.2, 

Paragraph VIII. B.

5.2.3 Warranty Inspection – IAW DLA Troop Support Handbook 4155.2, 

Paragraph VIII. C.

5.2.4 Prior to Sale or Shipment (Surveillance) Inspection – IAW DLA 

Troop Support Handbook 4155.2, Paragraph VIII. D.

5.2.5 Special Inspection – IAW DSCP Handbook 4155.2, Paragraph 

VIII.E.

5.3 Formation of Lots. IAW DLA Troop Support Handbook 4155.2, Appendix A. 

5.3.1 Normal Inspection.

5.3.1.1 Table A (for use with Table C) – Lot size for “shipping 

containers” shall be the total number of cases.

5.3.1.1.1 Since the DLA Troop Support Handbook 

4155.2, Appendix A does not distinguish procedures for disproportionate lots of “A” and “B” 

boxes, using Table A to draw the samples for the MARC is simple. When utilizing a hard copy of 

DSCP Form 5117 to record inspection results, follow the proceeding procedures:

5.3.1.1.1.1 The “Lot Size” for Tables A and B is

expressed as “cases”. The total number of cases in the lot is the lot size. From the lot size obtain 

the “Sample Size” and the corresponding “Action Numbers” for the lot using Table A or Table B 

respectively.

5.3.1.1.1.2 The “Lot Size” for Tables D, E, H,

and I will remain as “menus”. The total number of cases will be added together and multiplied 

by 10 menus (i.e. 45 cases X 10 menus per case = 450 menus).

5.3.1.2 Tables D and H (for use with Tables F, G and J) - Lot size for 

“menu bags and contents to include accessory bags and contents, and destructive open package 

inspection (DOPI)” shall be the total number of ration menus.
OPERATIONAL RATIONS INSPECTION PROCEDURE (OPRATS IP09)

1 March 2013

5.3.2 Special Inspection. Determine lot size IAW DSCPH 4155.2, Appendix A, 

Paragraph 3, Special Inspection Guidance.

5.4 Sampling Plan. IAW DLA Troop Support Handbook 4155.2, Appendix A. 

5.4.1 Normal Inspection.

5.4.1.1 Table A – The sample unit for “shipping containers” is one

MARC case.

5.4.1.2 Tables D and H – The sample unit for “menu bags and contents 

to include accessory bags and contents, and destructive open package inspection (DOPI)” is 

one ration menu. Sample menus will be drawn from the case in direct proportion to their lot 

size.

NOTE: Unlike the MRE, the MARC does not contain an accessory packet.

5.4.2 Special Inspection. Determine lot size IAW DLA Troop 

Support Handbook 4155.2, Appendix A, Paragraph 3, Special Inspection 

Guidance.

5.5 Performing the Inspection. Perform IAW DSCPH 4155.2, Appendix A, with 

the following modification:

5.5.1 Table C, Defect Number 616 (Minor) does not apply. The 

MARC shipping container does not have a TTI.

5.5.2 Monographs. Use the same monographs used for MREs at 

https://www.troopsupport.dla.mil/subs/support/qapubs/appa/mono-a.asp. Use the closest 

MRE monograph to the MARC components without an exact monograph. Use best 

judgment on MARC components that does not have similar (closest) MRE monograph.

5.5.3 Table M - Component and Classification List.

http://www.troopsupport.dla.mil/subs/support/qapubs/appa/index.asp

5.5.3 Table S - Component and Classification List.

http://www.troopsupport.dla.mil/subs/support/qapubs/appa/index.asp

5.6 Shelf Life Extensions/Scheduling of Inspections.

5.6.1 At three month interval once the ITD has been reached but the ration is 

still in Condition Code A.

5.6.2 At one month interval once the ration has been placed in Condition

Code B.

5.7 Nonconformance Reporting – Perform IAW DLA Troop Support Handbook 

4155.2, and DLA Troop Support Handbook 4155.2, Appendix A.
OPERATIONAL RATIONS INSPECTION PROCEDURE (OPRATS IP09) 

1 March 2013

6.0 RECORDS, REPORTS AND FORMS: 

6.1 DSCP Form 5117

6.2 Maintain a copy of the completed DSCP Form 5117 in the local file.

6.3 DO NOT post MARC inspections in the Lotus Notes MRE Inspection Database.

6.4 A CVR will be completed for each ration inspection to establish a record in the 

ISP application and capture the manpower required.