A field ration eating device with a tape measure displaying its length

The field ration eating device (FRED) is an Australian eating utensil and multi-tool that serves as a combination of a can opener, bottle opener, and spoon. As its name suggests, it is issued to the Australian Defence Force for use with its Combat Ration One Man field rations. It was first issued around 1943.[1][2]

Its NATO Stock Number (NSN) is 7330-66-010-0931 and the item name is "opener, hand, can".[3][4] It is also humorously referred to as the "fucking ridiculous eating device".[5][6][7]

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Farewell, old Fred". Army – The Soldiers' Newspaper 6 October 2005 Edition #1130 : Letters to the Editor. Coordination and Public Affairs; Directorate of Defence Newspapers (Australian Army). 6 October 2005. Retrieved 5 November 2007.
  2. ↑ "Fred's friend's left with sour taste". Army – The Soldiers' Newspaper 20 October 2005 Edition #1131 : Letters to the Editor. Australian Army. 20 October 2005. Retrieved 5 November 2007.
  3. ↑ "NSN search result: 7330-66-010-0931". ISO Group. Retrieved 13 March 2023.
  4. ↑ Bui, Lan; McLaughlin, Tracey; Coad, Ross. "Compliance of 2012/13 Combat Ration Packs to the Recommended Nutritional Criteria" (PDF). Defence Science and Technology Organisation. p. 40. Retrieved 13 March 2023.
  5. ↑ "A history of modern military rations". MetaFilter:community weblog. 2005. Retrieved 5 November 2007. A similar device is currently employed by the Australian Army in its ration kits. It is known by the acronym "FRED" (Fucking Ridiculous Eating Device).
  6. ↑ Hardiman, Graeme. "The Malayan Emergency. 2RAR 1956/57". 2RAR. Digger History: an unofficial history of the Australian & New Zealand Armed Forces. Retrieved 5 November 2007. I remember the spoon come tin opener that was in later years nicknamed "Fred" (f****ing ridiculous eating device)
  7. ↑ "Australian Ration pack Contents". Ration Pack. Australian Defence News & Opinion – MilitaryPeople.com.au. 2007. Archived from the original on 12 October 2007. Retrieved 5 November 2007.

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