DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY

UNITED STATES ARMY PUBLIC HEALTH COMMAND

ARMY INSTITUTE PUBLIC HEALTH VETERINARY SERVICES

OPERATIONAL RATIONS INSPECTION PROCEDURE (OPRATS IP12)

1 March 2013

First Strike Ration (FSR) Inspection

1.0 PURPOSE: To establish standardized procedures for First Strike Ration (FSR) 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 FSR’s.

2.2 This document discusses situations, procedures, and inspection guidance not covered in DLA 

Troop Support Handbook 4155.2 and DLA TROOP SUPPORT HANDBOOK 4155.2 Appendix L.

3.0 DEFINITIONS: 

3.1 See DLA Troop Support Handbook 4155.2, Paragraph V. 

3.2 See DLA TROOP SUPPORT HANDBOOK 4155.2,

Appendix L, Paragraph I.G. 3.3 See USAPHC OPRATS 

IP02

3.4 First Strike Ration – is a compact, eat-on-the-move, assault ration intended to be 

consumed during the first 72 hours of intense conflict by forward deployed Soldiers.

3.5 Characteristics – All components of this lightweight ration are composed of a variety of 

calorically dense, eat-out-of-hand foods that require little or no preparation by the Soldier. Like the 

MRE, it is a totally self-contained meal combined in one single flexible meal bag. The FSR is 

designed to be about the size of one MRE meal bag, but with enough food to replace three MREs. 

There are currently 3 different menus with nine meal bags per shipping case, three of each menu.

3.6 Shelf life is a minimum of two years at 80 degrees Fahrenheit. 

3.7 FSR does NOT contain a Flameless Ration Heater. 

3.8 Nutritional data – Each menu provides approximately 2900 calories (14% Protein, 34% 

Fat, and 52% Carbohydrate).
OPERATIONAL RATIONS INSPECTION PROCEDURE (OPRATS IP12)

1 March 2013

4.0 REFERENCES: 

4.1 MEDCOM Regulation 40-28

4.2 MEDCOM Pamphlet 40-13

4.3 DLA Troop Support Handbook 4155.2, Inspection of Composite Rations

4.4 DLA TROOP SUPPORT HANDBOOK 4155.2, Appendix L, First Strike Ration

NOTE: Ensure to check the DLA Troop Support website,

https://www.troopsupport.dla.mil/subs/support/qapubs/index.asp , for most current edition of 

DLA Troop Support Handbook 4155.2 Appendix L

4.5 Applicable Military Details (MIL-DTL) found on DLA Troop Support website, 

https://www. troopsupport.dla.mil/subs/support/specs/mil/index.asp

4.6 DLA Troop Support Active Contract found on DLA Troop Support website, 

https://www. troopsupport.dla.mil/subs/rations/programs/fsr/fsrci.asp

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

5.0 PROCEDURES: 

5.1 Types and Frequency of Inspections.

5.1.1 Receipt Inspection – IAW DLA Troop Support Handbook 4155.2, Paragraph

VIII A. 5.1.2 In-storage Inspection – IAW DLA Troop Support Handbook 4155.2,

Paragraph VIII B. 5.1.3 Warranty Inspection – IAW DLA Troop Support 

Handbook 4155.2, Paragraph VIII C.

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

Troop Support Handbook 4155.2, Paragraph VIII D.

5.1.5 Special Inspection – IAW DLA Troop Support Handbook 4155.2, 

Paragraph VIII E.

5.2 Formation of Lots. IAW DLA Troop Support Handbook 4155.2, 

Appendix L

5.2.1 Normal Inspection.

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

containers” is the total number of cases.
OPERATIONAL RATIONS INSPECTION PROCEDURE (OPRATS IP12)

1 March 2013

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

and I will remain as “menus”. The total number cases multiplied by 9 menus.

5.2.1.2 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)” is the total number of ration menus.

5.2.2 Special Inspection. Determine lot size IAW DLA Troop Support Handbook 

4155.2, Appendix L, Paragraph 3, Special Inspection Guidance.

5.3 Sampling Plan. IAW DLA Troop Support Handbook 

4155.2, Appendix L. 5.3.1 Normal Inspection.

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

case.

5.3.1.2 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.

5.3.2 Special Inspection. Determine lot size IAW DLA Troop Support Handbook 

4155.2, Appendix L, Paragraph 3, Special Inspection Guidance.

5.4 Performing the Inspection. Perform IAW DLA Troop Support Handbook 4155.2, 

Appendix L.

5.4.1 Time Temperature Indicator (TTI).

5.4.1.1 TTI’s are read by comparing the color of the indicator’s center to the 

outer ring surrounding it. AVI will use a TTI Comparator Card to perform this reading. Initially, the 

TTI has a bull’s-eye appearance, with the center being much lighter than the darker outer ring. The 

center is designed to darken with time and temperature, darkening more rapidly as the temperature 

increases. The theory behind the TTI is that there is a correlation between the appearance of the 

indicator and remaining shelf life of the ration.

5.4.1.2 The TTI’s appearance correlates directly with the numerical stages of 

the indicator (see TTI Chart below). When the numerical stage of the indicator increases above the 

initial “0” reading, the likelihood of finding time and temperature related defects in the ration 

increases. The AVI will take extra diligence when inspecting these rations. A change in condition 

code may be required based on the inspection results. Do not use the numerical reading as the sole 

source for determined condition code. The chart below shows the approximate remaining shelf life in 

months for rations stored at various temperatures for each of the numerical stages.
OPERATIONAL RATIONS INSPECTION PROCEDURE (OPRATS IP12)

1 March 2013

TTI CHART

Appearance Numerical Stage “Approximate” 

Remaining Shelf Life (months)

60

o

F 80

o

F 10

o

F

Center much lighter than outer ring 0 210 36 6.4

Center lighter than outer ring 1 146 24 4.5

Center slightly lighter than outer ring 2 106 17 3.2

Center same shade as outer ring 3 End of expected shelf life

Center slightly darker than outer ring 4 Exceeds expected shelf life

Center much darker than outer ring 5 Exceeds expected shelf life

Note: Additional information regarding TTI’s can be found in the Lotus Notes Operational Rations Doc Library.

5.5 Nonconformance Reporting – Perform IAW DLA Troop Support Handbook 4155.2, 

and DLA Troop Support Handbook 4155.2, Appendix L.

5.6 CURSORY INSPECTIONS (General Examination for 

Transportation Damage/Obvious Defects).

5.6.1 A complete Receipt/Routine inspection is not required for the following

situations:

5.6.1.1 If the FSR’s are delivered to the installation directly from the MRE 

assembly plant, a full receipt inspection is not required. Inspect these deliveries only for 

transportation damage/obvious defects.

5.6.1.2 If the FSR’s are delivered from a depot or other installation and a 

current (within the last 30 days) inspection report, completed at the point of origin (for example, a 

depot, not another installation that received the same lot) accompanies the shipment. The 

accompanying inspection report should match the lot number and manufacturer/assembler 

information in the receipt/delivery documentation, as well as the marking on the shipping container, 

plus the delivery origin. Inspect these deliveries only for transportation damage/obvious defects.

5.7 SURVEILLANCE INSPECTIONS. 

5.7.1 Surveillance inspections are performed on 6-months intervals following the last 

competed inspection. The last completed inspection could have been a receipt/cursory or a 

surveillance/routine, it does not matter. “Next Inspection Due” will NEVER be more than 6 months 

from the last completed inspection. This is also covered in DLA TROOP SUPPORT HANDBOOK 

4155.2, Appendix L, Paragraph II.M. Step 13.

5.7.2 Surveillance inspections are not required for FSR’s held in commercially 

contracted cold storage (58-60 degrees Fahrenheit) locations, or for FSR’s on ships that are 

maintained as Prepositioned War Reserve, Afloat rations. However a full receipt inspection will be 

performed at the first destination where these rations are sent after being removed from these storage 

locations.

6.0 RECORDS, REPORTS AND FORMS: 
OPERATIONAL RATIONS INSPECTION PROCEDURE (OPRATS IP12) 

1 March 2013

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 FSR inspections in the USAPHC 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.