The army estimates that 3 percent of its members have special meal requirements, said Joe D'Onofrio, vice president of operations at My Own Meals.

Potential "MRK" eaters include Jews who observe kashrut and Muslim soldiers who follow the dietary laws of halal, as well as vegetarians. Army officials estimate that thousands of observant Jews serve in the U.S. armed forces.

Until recently, only soldiers stationed on military bases had access to kosher meals because of the high cost and transportation requirements of kosher field meals.