It now carries out the general administration and finances of France's land forces.
It is led by commissaires or commissioners, officers recruited by competition among university graduates.
It has existed since at least the 14th century whenJohn the Good created posts for commissioners to prepare for war.
There was formerly a central management of the office of the Army (DCCAT), based in Rambouillet, headed by a Commissioner Major General.It was incorporated into the commissariat of the armed forces, which also included regional offices, one in each region de terre and the central or decentralized.
These functions have since 2009 gradually devolved to the directorates administrative and support rights (DASH) of the GSBdD will be generalized, numbering 51, from 1 January 2011.