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What They Do
Ammunition Technicians are responsible for Canadian Forces ammunition stockpiles and explosives safety programs. They also perform technical inspections, tests, proofs, maintenance, modification and disposal of all Canadian Forces ammunition.
The primary responsibilities of Ammunition Technicians are to:
- Provide advice on all explosive safety matters
- Manage the storage of ammunition
- Prepare and ship ammunition
- 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 free from explosives
- Conduct improvised explosive devices disposal operations
- Operate equipment in support of operations
Working 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.
Career Development
The starting salary for a fully-trained Ammunition Technician is $49,400 per year; however, depending on previous experience and training the starting salary may be higher. The progression through the ranks is faster for Ammunition Technicians than other similar jobs in the Canadian Forces. Ammunition Technicians who demonstrate the required ability, dedication and potential are selected for opportunities for career progression, promotion and advanced 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 Forces physical fitness standard; as a result, the training is physically demanding.
After Basic Training, Army recruits go to a Military Training centre for the Soldier Qualification course for approximately one month, which covers the following topics:
- Army Physical Fitness
- Dismounted Offensive and Defensive Operations
- Reconnaissance Patrolling
- Advanced Weapons Handling
- Individual Field Craft
The Ammunition Technicians attend the Canadian Forces School of Administration and Logistics in Borden, Ontario, for approximately six months of training in the identification, characteristics, receipt, storage, inventory control, maintenance, issue and disposal of ammunition. Ammunition Technicians then continue with six to eight months of on-the-job training at an ammunition facility for practical exposure and hands-on experience in performing key tasks.
The next phase is three months of Explosive Ordnance Disposal training, which includes:
- proper disposal techniques of dud, misfired, and stray ammunition
- monitoring land-guided missile firings
- range clearance operations
- investigation of ammunition defects and malfunctions
The last step is six weeks of training on explosive safety programs, technical services, ammunition serviceability verification, accident investigation, development and inspection of ammunition facilities, explosive disposal operations, range clearance operations and the performance of Service Representative Officer duties.
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
The minimum required education to apply for this position is the completion of the provincial requirements for Grade 10 or Secondaire IV in Canada. Foreign education may be accepted.
