During WWII my Father sent his entire paycheck home to Mother. Of course she got an allotment for herself and their children.
Daddy was able to sell his cigarette ration for more money than he needed. The army basically provided every thing. He said it was always easy to sell them.
When they were in combat they did not have much need for money.
Around 1988 I worked at a state park for my Summer internship for my Masters Degree in recreation. One of the rangers gave me a few MREs as he was in the National Guard. He actually had a trunk full of them.
The first time I showed one to Daddy, I asked him what they were. He glanced at them and said “rations”.
Now how in the world did he know that? WWII rations could not have been that similar.
All military rations look the same to OLD MARINES, SAILORS, SOLDIERS, and AIRMEN.
We can tell just by looking.