Joint Support Command

The Joint Support Command (Dutch: Defensie Ondersteuningscommando, DOSCO) is a joint support organisation within the Netherlands Ministry of Defence. It delivers supporting tasks and services to the entire armed forces — the Royal Navy, Royal Army, Royal Air Force, Royal Marechaussee, the Defence Staff and the Materiel and IT Command (COMMIT). Its role is to relieve the operational branches so they can focus on their primary mission: protecting what is dear to the Netherlands with a clear advantage in combat. DOSCO's services span a wide range of activities: training military and civilian personnel, managing facilities and real estate, providing physical and mental healthcare for military personnel, recruiting new employees, guarding and securing air bases and barracks, transporting people and materiel, and providing catering at defence locations, during exercises and on deployment in the Netherlands. The command describes itself as reliable, connecting and delivering craftsmanship at all levels, executing its work with dedication and precision. The organisation has its origins in the Defence Interservice Command (DICO), established on 1 April 1996 to centralise support tasks such as catering, ICT, facilities and personnel services that had previously been managed separately by each service branch. On 1 April 2004 DICO became the Commando DienstenCentra (CDC), and in 2005 a structure of business groups was developed as the number of service centres grew. In October 2017 the CDC was renamed the Defensie Ondersteuningscommando (DOSCO). DOSCO is headquartered in Utrecht and is led by a commander, currently Lieutenant General J.W. Maas. It comprises a staff, the Defence Healthcare Organisation Division (medical examinations and general and specific healthcare), the Facility, Logistics and Security Division (catering, guarding and infrastructure management), the Personnel and Organisation Defence Division (personnel and financial support), the Netherlands Defence Academy (NLDA, which runs officer training institutes) and the Netherlands Institute of Military History (NIMH, which conducts research). The command consists of approximately 40 service centres spread across the Netherlands, organised under the divisions, the NLDA and the NIMH. Its personnel strength is 5,813 civilians and 2,803 military personnel, with 5,449 civilian and 2,802 military full-time positions (FTEs). This combination of civilian and military staff provides expertise and knowledge of operational processes. Service centre personnel are actively deployed during missions or exercises when needed.

Before 1996, each branch of the Dutch armed forces managed its own support tasks. On 1 April 1996, most support tasks — such as catering, ICT, facilities and personnel services — were brought together under a new defence-wide support command named the Defensie Interservice Commando (DICO). On 1 April 2004, DICO was renamed the Commando DienstenCentra (CDC). As the number of service centres increased, a structure of business groups was developed in 2005. In October 2017, the CDC was renamed the Defensie Ondersteuningscommando (DOSCO). The command has since comprised a staff based in Utrecht, the Defence Healthcare Organisation Division, the Facility, Logistics and Security Division, the Personnel and Organisation Defence Division, the Netherlands Defence Academy (NLDA) and the Netherlands Institute of Military History (NIMH). Its personnel strength is 5,813 civilians and 2,803 military personnel, with 5,449 civilian and 2,802 military full-time positions (FTEs). The command consists of approximately 40 service centres across the Netherlands, and its personnel are deployed during missions or exercises when needed.

• 2017

  CDC renamed Defensie Ondersteuningscommando (DOSCO).

• 2005

  A structure of business groups developed within CDC as the number of service centres grew.

• 2004

  DICO renamed Commando DienstenCentra (CDC).

• 1996

  Defence Interservice Command (DICO) established, centralising support tasks for the armed forces.

A joint, defence-wide support command that provides reliable, professional services to all branches of the Dutch armed forces, enabling them to focus on operational missions.

• Catering services

  Catering at defence locations, during exercises and on deployment in the Netherlands.

• Facility management

  Management of facilities and real estate.

• ICT services

  Information and communication technology support.

• Personnel and financial support

  Personnel and financial administrative support for defence personnel.

• Medical and healthcare services

  Medical examinations and general and specific healthcare for military personnel.

• Recruitment

  Recruitment of new employees for the armed forces.

• Security and guarding

  Security and guarding of air bases and barracks.

• Transport

  Transport of people and materiel.

• Training and education

  Training of military and civilian personnel, including officer training institutes under the Netherlands Defence Academy (NLDA).

• Military history research

  Research conducted by the Netherlands Institute of Military History (NIMH).

1. 1Defensie Ondersteuningscommando | Defensie.nldefensie.nl
2. 2Defensie Ondersteuningscommando - Wikipedianl.wikipedia.org
3. 3Joint Support Command - Wikidatawikidata.org