The Meal , Combat , Individual ( MCI ) was the name of canned wet combat rations issued by the United States Armed Forces from 1958 to 1980 , when it was replaced by the Meal , Ready - to - Eat ( MRE ) .
The Meal , Combat , Individual ( MCI ) was the name of canned wet combat rations issued by the United States Armed Forces from 1958 to 1980 . 
 Heavy for their content , they were eventually phased out in favor of the Meal , Ready - to - Eat ( MRE ) .