In today’s climate of reform, the need for a streamlining of the organic support of the armed forces is undeniable. Room for progress in the centralisation of services and administration is largely unexploited. All the more reason to assess these complex matters with intelligence and prudence, without losing sight of the operational character of the support currently provided by these services. Particularly in the area of supplies, which touches on issues that affect the very idea of command, the independence of the military commander and the freedom of manoeuvre of his forces must be considered.