Introduction

The Global Support Organisation (GSO) provides non-operational support to around 5,000 United Kingdom (UK) Ministry of Defence (MOD) personnel and families on permanent assignments overseas.

GSO is a sub-unit of the the UK’s Strategic Command (UKStratCom).

GSO provides support, in addition to supporting UK Defence activity, via three pillars of delivery as outlined in the Table below.

Pillar	Outline
Global Admin Unit (GAU)	Based at Kentigern House in Glasgow, the GAU provides J1 pay and allowances support to Service Personnel and their dependants operating in Defence Engagement and Exchange positions (Loans Service and Exchange Officer) in 61 countries across the world.
Germany Enabling Office (GEO)	Established following the drawdown of HQ British Forces Germany under Project BONIFACE, the GEO supports UK Defence by administering the Rights, Privileges and Obligations granted to British Forces in Germany under the NATO Status of Forces Agreement and the Supplementary Agreement within Germany.
National Support Elements (NSEs)	The 14 National Support Elements in Europe and Türkiye provide support through a distributed C2 model to Service Personnel and dependants serving in NATO, Defence Engagement, Exchange and Loan Service positions in 117 locations across the continent.

Guides

What Information is Available in the GSO Location Guides?

The GSO location guides are useful for personnel and family members considering an overseas assignment. They provide information on, for example:

• Accommodation
• Education
• Finances and banking
• Healthcare
• Pets
• Shopping and activities
• Useful contacts
• Vehicle registration and travel
• Welcome guides
• National support element
• Arrivals

What Locations Do the Guides Cover?

The guides cover a number of geographical locations, including (correct 08 December 2023):

• On GOV.uk platform (see below):
  • Belgium (North)
  • Germany (North)
  • Germany (South East)
  • Italy (North West)
  • Italy (South)
  • Portugal (Lisbon)
  • Scandinavia
  • Spain (Torrejon)
• On EJSU.net platform (see below):
  • Belgium (South)
  • Italy (North East)
  • Germany (South West)
  • Netherlands
  • Turkey (Istanbul)
  • Turkey (Izmir)
  • France/Eastern Europe:
    • France
    • Poland
    • Small Stations:
      • Albania
      • Austria
      • Czech Republic
      • Bulgaria
      • Croatia
      • Estonia
      • Greece
      • Latvia
      • Lithuania
      • Macedonia
      • Romania
      • Serbia
      • Slovakia

Where Can I Find the Guides?

Prior to 26 June 2023, the guides could only be found on the European Joint Support Unit (EJSU) website @ https://www.ejsu.net/.

“The content and functions held within EJSU.NET are being transferred to alternate MOD controlled platforms. As Content is transferred it will be removed from this site.”

Since 26 June 2023, the guides have been migrating to the GOV.UK platform @ https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/global-support-organisation.

What is the EJSU?

The European Joint Support Unit (EJSU) HQ provides tri-Service support to more than 4,000 Service personnel and families, in over 110 locations across 26 countries in Europe. The main headquarters is based at SHAPE, which is in Mons, Belgium. EJSU has 16 National Support Elements (NSE) with locally based EJSU staff while the remaining units are supported centrally from EJSU HQ.

as noted above, the EJSU.net information portal, for those posted to GSO supported locations in Europe and Turkey, is currently being migrated to several different sources.

• GSO-supported Location Guides will move to GOV.UK (as above).
• Service Personnel Administration for in-location matters will be moved to MODNET accessible apps.
• Community Announcements and Information will be available on a GSO group on Defence Connect.
  • Serving personnel will automatically be added once their assignment on JPA changes to a GSO-supported location.
  • Entitled family members will need to complete a registration form to gain access via their personal email.

Things to Appreciate When Considering an Overseas Posting

The Army Families Federation (AFF) has produced a good guide on the things to consider @ https://aff.org.uk/your-posting/your-ejsu-posting/.

The guide includes:

• Considerations
• Pre-screening
• Passports
• Allowances
• Housing
• Spousal employment
• Education, both primary and secondary
• Childcare
• Medical and dental
• Pets
• List of EJSU locations
• Alternative sources of information

Example Roles in GSO

• SCS2 Director Overseas Bases:
  • Senior civil servant.
  • Responsible for ensuring the ability of the Permanent Joint Operating Bases, including Cyprus, Falkland and Ascension Islands, Gibraltar, British Indian Ocean Territory and other elements within the Middle East and Singapore, to protect UK sovereignty and interests, uphold regional stability and contribute to Global Britain.
  • Portfolio also includes the Joint Arms Control Implementation Group (JACIG) and the GSO who provide bespoke support to Defence personnel and their dependants across Europe and other locations worldwide.
• SO1 GSO:
  • An OF-4 level post (e.g. Wing Commander, Lieutenant Colonel or Commander).
• S02 GAU:
  • An OF-3 level post (Squadron Leader, Major, or Lieutenant Commander).
  • Deputy for S01 GSO.
  • Can be on Full Time Reserve Service (Home Commitment) Terms and Conditions of Service (TCoS).
  • The SO2 GAU position is responsible for the command, management and operations of the GAU and reports to SO1 GSO based at Northwood.
  • A significant aspect of the role is the review and delivery of complex pay and allowances support commensurate with overseas service.
  • In particular the scrutiny and support of Pay and Allowances Casework prior to submission to the Pay and Allowances Casework and Complaints Cell.
  • The SO2 GAU has command and management authority over a blended team of military personnel and civil servants and is responsible for their development, welfare and supervision in delivering pay and allowances support to their distributed customer base.
  • Engagement and Communication with those the GAU supports is essential in ensuring effective customer support and it is incumbent upon the SO2 GAU role to ensure this.
  • This will include overseas visits when required to deliver face-to-face advice and receive in-country issues and trends.
  • SO2 GAU is also provides advice and guidance on pay and allowances issues to the wider GSO organisation including to the European Joint Support Unit.