Vietnam Era Mess Kit

In war or in training, to a soldier, hot meals, cooked centrally but served locally are an important factor for morale, health, hygiene and readiness. A mess set consisting of knife, fork and spoon and convenient containers to receive food and drink is an essential part of a soldier’s kit. There are frequent times and circumstances when a soldier is required to prepare and cook his rations (issued or locally sourced) individually over a local heat source. The military mess tin could meet both requirements.
In Australian military use, mess tins traditionally consisted of two parts, a base and a close fitting or nesting lid. The ensembles were light weight but sturdy, frequently with handles and usually with rounded corners or circular to facilitate cleaning. The two portions could be used for frying, boiling, serving and drinking. The mess kit was lightweight, compact and fitted into a canvass container easily attached to webbing or the saddle.
An combination knife, fork and spoon set was normally issued. Many soldiers also carried a tin mug for drinking as the mess tins themselves could be hot from cooking and the their shapes were not convenient. It was not until the issue of American style canteens with an integrated cup, that the separate mug disappeared.