The command is designed to facilitate the rapid movement of forces across national borders in Europe.

[6] The JSEC was announced at the same time as Joint Force Command Norfolk, established to help protect maritime transport and sea lines of communication between North America and Europe;[7] Its design is modeled after a Bundeswehr Joint Support Service Command.

[8] The command was designed in light of growing hostilities between European countries and Russia since the annexation of Crimea in 2014 and in response to logistic and bureaucratic hurdles limiting military logistics in case of a crisis.

[9] A research paper by the German Federal Academy for Security Policy mentions specific logistical issue such as modernizing diplomatic clearances required for troop movement, loading capacity standards for trucks, ascertaining which roads, tunnels and bridges in Europe can withstand tank and other heavy vehicle's movement.

[7][10][11] The German Federal Academy for Security Policy's view is that the forming of JSEC is a possible driver for the establishment of a "Military Schengen".