Ammunition Technician

Role overview

As an Ammunition Technician in the Canadian Armed Forces, you will be accountable for the oversight of ammunition and explosive stockpiles, along with safety programs related to explosives and ammunition. The role also involves hands-on technical work such as inspecting, testing, proving, maintaining, modifying, and disposing of Canadian Armed Forces ammunition and explosives.

Core duties

• Advise personnel on ammunition and explosive safety matters.
• Oversee the storage of ammunition and explosive materials.
• Prepare ammunition and explosives for shipment.
• Maintain static sites, field locations, and deployed facilities.
• Carry out render-safe and disposal procedures for explosive ordnance.
• Classify ammunition, explosive items, munitions, and non-munitions scrap to the appropriate level.
• Support operations involving improvised explosive device disposal.
• Operate specialized equipment in operational settings.

Work setting

This occupation can take place in a broad mix of locations and environmental conditions. At the start, technicians are posted to an ammunition facility to build experience and technical knowledge. After all training requirements are completed, postings may be within Canada or on deployments around the world.

For those joining the Regular Force, the first posting is assigned after training is completed. Relocations may be required during a military career, and accommodation with preferred locations cannot always be guaranteed. In the Primary Reserve Force, members join through a specific Reserve unit and work there on a part-time basis outside of training, without an obligation to move to another base. Reserve service typically includes one night each week and some weekends at a minimum, with potential for full-time work as well.

Entry route

This is a direct-entry occupation, which means no prior work experience or trade-specific skills are required. Recruiters can help determine whether your interests and personal qualities align with the role.

Education requirement

The minimum education needed is completion of provincial Grade 10 requirements, or Secondary 4 in Quebec. Foreign education may also be accepted.

Training and development

Training begins with Basic Military Qualification at the Canadian Forces Leadership and Recruit School in Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Quebec. This foundational training builds core military skills and is physically demanding because recruits must meet the Canadian Armed Forces fitness standard.

After that, Ammunition Technicians receive about five months of training at the Canadian Forces Logistics Training Centre in Borden, Ontario. This phase covers identification, characteristics, receiving, storage, inventory control, maintenance, issue, and disposal of ammunition and explosives.

The next phase is a three-month Explosive Ordnance Disposal course, which includes training in disposal methods for dud, misfired, and stray ammunition, range clearance, defect and malfunction investigations, and field and deployed operations.

The final stage lasts eight weeks and focuses on ammunition and explosive safety programs, technical services, serviceability checks, accident investigations, facility inspection and development, explosive disposal, range clearance, and Service Representative Officer duties.

Following the first five months of training, technicians complete 24 months of on-the-job training at an ammunition facility to gain practical, hands-on experience before moving to the next phase.

Specialized training options

As the career progresses, technicians may have access to additional formal and on-the-job learning in areas such as improvised explosive device disposal, dangerous goods transportation, biological and chemical munitions disposal, and marine explosive handling.

Advanced development

Technicians who show the right ability and potential may be selected for advanced training, including Conventional Munitions Disposal Advanced.

Related civilian roles

• Engineering and regulatory inspector
• Material handler
• Civilian ammunition technician
• Civilian explosive ordnance disposal range clearance operator