An Army Meal, also known as a Field Ration, is a meal that is prepared for soldiers in the field. The term 'CHOW' (4 letters) is used to refer to food in general, while 'Cration' (7 letters) is a type of packaged meal that is designed to be eaten in the field. 'MESS' (4 letters) is another term for a communal eating area, and 'ARNIE' (5 letters) is a nickname for the U.S. Army's Meal, Ready-to-Eat (MRE).