Ammunition Technician

Overview  As a member of the military, Ammunition Technicians are responsible for all Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) ammunition and explosive stockpiles, as well as ammunition and explosives safety programs. They also perform technical inspections, tests, proofs, maintenance, modification and disposal of all CAF ammunition and explosives.
Primary Responsibilities   Provide advice on all ammunition and explosive safety matters
Manage the storage of ammunition and explosives
Prepare and ship ammunition and explosives
Maintain static facilities, field and deployed installations
Perform render safe and disposal procedures on explosive ordnances
Certify ammunition, explosive items, munitions and non-munitions scrap to different degrees of classification
Conduct improvised explosive device disposal operations
Operate equipment in support of operations
Work Environment  Ammunition Technicians may work in a wide variety of locations and environmental conditions. Initially, technicians are posted to an ammunition facility to gain experience and knowledge. Once all training is complete, they may be posted within Canada or deployed on operations around the world. If you choose a career in the Regular Force, after completing all required training, you will be assigned to your first base.

While there is some flexibility with regards to postings, accommodations may not always be possible, and relocation can be expected at some point in your career. If you join the Primary Reserve Force, you will be posted through a specific Reserve unit. Outside of training, the Reserve unit will be your workplace on a part-time basis, and relocation is not required.

Typical duties include working one night per week and some weekends, with possibilities for full‑time employment.
Entry Plans  No previous work experience or career‑related skills are required. CAF recruiters can help you decide if your personal interests and attributes match the criteria for this occupation. The minimum required education to apply is the completion of provincial Grade 10 or Secondary 4 (Quebec 4 th). Foreign education may be accepted.
Training  The first stage of training is the Basic Military Qualification course (Basic Training) at the Canadian Forces Leadership and Recruit School in Saint‑Jean‑sur‑Richelieu, Quebec. This course provides the basic core skills and knowledge common to all trades and ensures recruits meet the CAF physical fitness standard; the training is physically demanding. Ammunition Technicians then attend the Canadian Forces Logistics Training Centre in Borden, Ontario, for approximately five months of training in the identification, characteristics, receipt, storage, inventory control, maintenance, issue and disposal of ammunition and explosives.

The next phase is three months of Explosive Ordnance Disposal training, which includes:
Explosive ordnance disposal training in proper disposal techniques of dud, misfired and stray ammunition
Range clearance operations
Investigation of ammunition defects and malfunctions
Field and deployed operations
The final step is eight weeks of training on ammunition and explosive safety programs, technical services, ammunition serviceability verification, ammunition and explosives accident investigation, development and inspection of ammunition facilities, explosive disposal operations, range clearance operations and the performance of Service Representative Officer duties. On‑The‑Job Training  After the initial five months of training, Ammunition Technicians continue with 24 months of on‑the‑job training at an ammunition facility for practical exposure and hands‑on experience in performing key tasks prior to the next phase of training.

They may be offered opportunities to develop specialized skills through formal courses and on‑the‑job training, including:
Improvised Explosive Device Disposal
Transportation of Dangerous Goods
Disposal of Biological/Chemical munitions
Marine Explosive Handling
As they progress, technicians demonstrating required ability and potential will be offered advanced training. Available courses include:  Conventional Munitions Disposal Advanced
Related Civilian Occupations   Engineering and regulatory inspectors
Material handlers
Civilian Ammunition Technician
Civilian Explosive Ordnance Disposal Range Clearance Operator

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