NAMSO, the NATO Maintenance and Supply Organization, was established by the North Atlantic Council (NAC), in 1958, with the approval of a NAMSO Charter. The NAC has granted NAMSO organizational, administrative and financial independence, within the framework of the North Atlantic Treaty. NAMSO comprises the legislative entity, the Board of Directors (BOD), and NAMSA, the executive agency. Those closely connected with the Organization frequently use the term, NAMSO, when referring to the BOD and/or the Chairman’s Office with the Permanent Secretariat, to distinguish from NAMSA, the Agency.

NAMSO Board of Directors

The NAMSO Board of Directors (BOD), the supreme decision making body of NAMSO, issues directives and makes general policy decisions to enable NAMSO to carry out its mission. It reports to the North Atlantic Council (NAC). Members of the Board are Defence Ministry representatives from each of the NATO member nations – currently all 28 – who have agreed to use the services of NAMSO. A diagram of NAMSO showing its relationships within NATO can be seen by clicking here. BOD decisions concerning fundamental policy issues require unanimous agreement by the NAMSO member states. For example, the Board approves annually the NAMSA organization and establishment and budgets. In addition, all Agency appointments at NATO grade A-5 and above level require unanimous approval. The Board has a Chairman who is nominated from one of the member states and serves in a part time capacity, currently at NATO Grade A-7 level, for no more than 3 years. There are some non-voting members who attend Board meetings, for example the Secretary General’s Liaison Officer and representatives from the Military Command Structure. It normally meets twice per year, with the General Manager and senior management of the Agency also present.

Responsibilities of the Board of Directors

The responsibilities of the NAMSO Board of Directors are set out in its Charter. Broadly they are:

general policy and the issue of associated directives for the Organization,

providing guidance for the operation and administration of the Agency,

approving and entering into international agreements in accordance with the NAMSO Charter,

setting the policy to be followed for NAMSO relations with customers,

approving the overall organization and establishment of the Agency and the personnel selections at grade A-5 and above,

making budgetary and financial decisions, and

exercising management control of the Agency activities.

For more information contact the NAMSO Permanent Secretariat.

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