Soldiers need a higher calorie intake than an average male. The 2,000 calorie intake is not even very accurate for many people, but if you are an average person that needs 2,000 calories, you will need a lot more if deployed in combat. The United States Army uses MREs as a major source of food for deployed soldiers, each of which contain between 1,100 and 1,300 calories. Three of those a day, plus other snack and drinks, will brink an American soldier’s intake up to 3,500-4,500. Please note that these rations are meant for soldiers in combat or in other high activity areas, like disaster relief, marching, or fortifying an area. A officer in headquarters hundreds of miles away from combat should be eating a vastly different diet to keep healthy.