Cots, MREs, Per Diem: Army Offers New Details for Soldiers Sent to Massive D.C. Military Parade May 22, 2025 landred Thousands of soldiers flying or busing into Washington, D.C., next month will be sleeping on cots, eating mostly MREs (and hot chow for dinner), and showering in contracted trailers during the Army’s multimillion-dollar 250th birthday festivities.