/ Defense

Helping armies serve more effectively

As military personnel become increasingly professionalized, armed forces are focusing on their core activity and calling upon experienced partners to provide logistical support for combat missions abroad and day-to-day management during training periods at home.

Service continuity

For troop presence to be dissuasive, armed forces can never let down their guard. To support them in every situation, wherever their bases are located, Sodexo offers a complete range of integrated services 24/7.

 

Present on four continents

We serve the British army at its garrisons in the United Kingdom during deployments abroad (Cyprus, Falklands, Germany), and the French army in operations at stable bases such as the FOB in Afghanistan.
We are under contract with the United States Marine Corps to prepare more than 80,000 meals every day. We have also developed partnerships with major national brands such as Starbucks® to ensure outlets are present at all barracks in the United States and at bases abroad.

Supply management

Supplying troops on active duty missions demands a high degree of reliability, including for delivery times and cost controls.

 

Rolling out efficient logistics

In the military field, supply logistics often require unfailing flexibility and a high degree of innovation. Our logistics experts, trained to handle the specific aspects of military operations, have the capabilities to offer attractive, efficient solutions.

In 2000, DLA Troop Support, a branch of the U.S. Defense Logistics Agency, outsourced the supply of construction materials and equipment for the 85 American bases in South Korea to Sodexo. To promote face-to-face contact with clients and just-in-time inventory management, Sodexo installed a 24,000-square-foot warehouse/office complex in the country. Clients can consult customized catalogues, receive estimates and track their orders online. The innovative solution guarantees 72-hour delivery of materials in stock to all bases.

Decompressing

Returning to civilian life after combat operations abroad can be problematic. To facilitate the transition from theater to home, we have designed a model “decompression chamber”.

 

Helping soldiers return from combat

Decompression centers are intended to help military forces returning from war zones make a smooth transition to family life. Our teams have designed well-equipped, welcoming facilities, providing food and laundry services, Internet access, television, cinema , meeting rooms and wellness centers. A brief stopover of a few days is enough to rebuild group cohesiveness and prepare for the change of pace.

Bloodhound Camp Episkopi Garrison in Cyprus accommodates British soldiers in groups of 250 on their way back from combat duty. They make a stopover at the camp for 36 hours before joining their families in the United Kingdom. A 12-hour turnaround laundry service is available to provide the troops with clean clothes and uniforms. At the request of the British armed forces, we renovated the former training camp in less than a month and transformed it into a welcoming place with excellent facilities. For best results, Sodexo teams work under the direct supervision of the commanding officer.

Sustainable development

In the military as well as the civilian world, environment and natural resource protection depends on the awareness of individuals and organizations.

 

Protecting the environment

In line with our Group’s sustainability roadmap, the Better Tomorrow Plan, we are focusing our actions on 4 pillars:

  • rational energy use and control over harmful emissions,
  • sustainable procurement (local seasonal products, sustainable sourcing of equipment and supplies),
  • reduced water consumption,
  • careful waste management.

Our experts pay special attention to waste management, enabling armed forces to comply with or even exceed the targets imposed by most governments.

In Wales and the Western Midlands, for example, we have helped military forces increase the rate of waste recycling to 70%. We train soldiers to reduce the amount of wastes destined for landfills.

In Australia, we are particularly attentive to wastewater recovery. We have developed an array of tests for quick, professional analysis of underground and surface water.