3D Printing is really hitting the U.S. Army big time as they find many potential uses for it. 3D Printing can revolutionize a lot of areas for them in terms of logistics such as soldiers in the field being able to print spare parts for their equipment rather than waiting for the next resupply; and Army surgeons are looking into being able to print out human organs and body parts to replace lost by injured soldiers. Now, they are looking into what is one of the most important aspects of running a military organization since man began fighting each other for power, prestige, resources, or supremacy of an idea --- food.

In the July-August 2014 Issue of Army Technology Magazine (freely downloadable PDF magazine), they delve into various ways that the 3D Printer can be utilized. But many are interested in 3D printing of food.  “We are thinking as troops move forward, we could provide a process or a compact printer that would allow Soldiers to print food on demand using ingredients that are provided to them, or even that they could forage for,” Laruen Oleksyk, who leads the food technology group researching on 3D applications for food processing, said. “This is looking far into the future.” But one thing many soldiers would welcome is the ability to customize the food according to what he/she wants rather than relying on standardized meals such as those issued MREs (Meals Ready to Eat or affectionately called "Meals Rejected by Everyone").

Lauren Oleksyk, team leader of the Food Processing, U.S. Army Natick Soldier Research, Development and Engineering Center.

If you are an avid follower of 3-D printing development, you should have already known by now that 3D printing of food is already a reality especially in the confectionery segment as these are used for chocolates and candies. Other companies are getting more ambitious with 3D printing, looking into printing meat and other nutritious products. But I guess for now, the target is achieving a semblance of a hot meal through 3D printing with all the nutrients needed by a soldier, taste be damned. But once the technology matures for 3-D printed food, then flavors and more familiar menus can be worked on.

The most important thing is to be able to print out food required by the soldier depending on the mission. But it would be fun if one can print out a pizza or a complicated food with many ingredients. It can also help lessen food wastage through cooking as computer controlled 3D printing would just use the right amount of ingredients for the meal that the soldier wants.

I just hope that any 3D food printer can print fast enough when feeding a platoon or company of hungry and big soldiers. It would be tough to have a food riot in a base or a camp because printing a fried egg takes 3 minutes whereas before the mess hall attendants can just shove that unto a soldier's platter in under one second.

I just find it hard to digest 3-D printed food yet, but I might get used to it if becomes widely available. Airsoft fields are not famous for their gourmet food, but if a 3D printer is in the field to print out a cheese burger that tastes like those from In-N-Out or Five Guys, then I am sold!