Each containerized package provides air conditioned/heated billeting, dining, laundry, latrine and recreational facilities for a battalion-sized force of up to 550 soldiers and the 50 personnel required to operate it.
[4][5][6] Development of Force Provider was begun after the Gulf War, where Army soldiers were provided outdated tents and makeshift facilities with minimal comforts, especially in comparison to the Air Force's modern Harvest Falcon system.
The intention was to rotate soldiers out of front-line positions to spend up to a week at a Force Provider complex.
Amenities would include private hot showers; field laundry service; field kitchen with cook-prepared hot meals; and (depending on circumstances) morale and recreation services such as a movie theater, post office, barber, or outdoor sports.
Despite some setbacks, the deployment of these packages was considered largely successful in providing warm, sanitary living and recreational facilities for more than 5,000 personnel.