Although much smaller than the BAOR, it is still the largest concentration of British armed forces permanently stationed outside the United Kingdom.
With the end of the Cold War and the Options for Change defence review in the early 1990s, BFG has been considerably reduced.
The concept of the GGS from the beginning was to employ local civilian volunteers in performing Armed security functions alongside British Forces.
This course prepares personnel for their duties by qualifying in knowledge of UK Army standard operating procedures regarding anti-terrorism measures, weapons qualification, communications, security procedures, use of force, self-defense techniques, access control, security systems monitoring, the GGS professional development program, driver qualifications, command structure and integration with Army security and Royal Military Police operations, as well as general orders, authority, and uniform in the garrison environment.
GGS primary duties include access and badge control, vehicle searches, static security, roving foot and vehicle patrols, surveillance detection, CCTV and alarm systems monitoring, security checks, as well as acting as quasi interpreters by using their German language skills (required) when interacting with local contractors and authorities.