Ammunition Technician

As a member of the military, Ammunition Technicians are responsible for all Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) ammunition, 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.

The primary responsibilities of Ammunition Technicians are to:

• 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 devices disposal operations
• Operate equipment in support of operations

Work environment

Ammunition Technicians may work in a wide variety of locations and environmental conditions. Ammunition Technicians are initially 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 chose a career in the Regular Force, upon completion of all required training, you will be assigned to your first base. While there is some flexibility with regards to postings (relocations), accommodations can’t always be made, and therefore, you can likely expect to move at some point in your career. However, if you decide to join the Primary Reserve Force, you will do so through a specific Reserve unit. Outside of training, your chosen Reserve unit will be your workplace on a part time basis, and you will not be obligated to relocate to a different base. As part of the Primary Reserve Force, you typically work one night per week and some weekends as a minimum with possibilities of full-time employment.

Entry plans

• Direct Entry Options

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 for this occupation is the completion of the provincial requirements for Grade 10 or Secondary 4 in Quebec.

Foreign education may be accepted.

Training

The first stage of training is the Basic Military Qualification course, or Basic Training, held at the Canadian Forces Leadership and Recruit School in Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Quebec. This training provides the basic core skills and knowledge common to all trades. A goal of this course is to ensure that all recruits maintain the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) physical fitness standard; as a result, the training is physically demanding.

The Ammunition Technicians 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 last 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 then 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 commencement of the next phase of training.

Ammunition Technicians may be offered the opportunity 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 in their career, Ammunition Technicians who demonstrate the 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