How much time must soldiers be allowed to eat in order to maintain optimal performance?

Soldiers must be allowed at least 15 minutes to eat, as this duration is generally considered optimal for maintaining their performance levels. Time allocated for meals is crucial, especially in high-stress environments where soldiers may need to sustain their energy and focus. A 15-minute meal break enables them to consume enough food to replenish energy stores without causing excessive delays in operations.

Shorter meal times, such as 10 minutes, may not allow sufficient time for soldiers to eat effectively, leading to inadequate nutrition intake and potential negative impacts on their physical and cognitive performance. While options such as 20 or 30 minutes may provide more time to eat, they could disrupt training or operational schedules unnecessarily, which emphasizes the importance of balancing the need for nourishment with operational efficiency.