August is National Sandwich Month. For most people, it is a fun excuse to enjoy a sub, a grilled cheese or maybe a new deli spot. For service members, however, the sandwich represents something more sacred. It is not just a quick meal. It is the backbone of military dining. From shelf-stable MRE pouches to DFAC paninis and gas station hoagies grabbed before a convoy, the sandwich has become a culinary staple within the ranks.

For an institution built on discipline and structure, the military’s most enduring food innovation is a lesson in improvisation. The sandwich is not flashy, but it gets the job done, much like the troops it feeds.

The tactical PB&J: A foundation of military cuisine

The peanut butter and jelly sandwich is the most recognizable sandwich in military history. Troops ha

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