As an Ammunition Technician, you are in charge of keeping the Army armed. You will be responsible for the inspection, bulk storage and maintenance of all ammunition and explosives used by the Army. You will also conduct technical trials on new ammunition, conduct investigations into ammunition incidents and dispose of unserviceable ammunition.
Ammunition Technicians also work closely with the NZ Police on the disposal of explosives, stray ammunition and bomb disposal tasks.
You will be trained in the effective storage and disposal of all the different ordinance used by the New Zealand Army, as well as the kind of explosives, mines etc that we encounter while on deployment.
You could be trained to operate the bomb disposal robot and other devices used by the Explosive Ordinance Device team (the bomb squad). In effect, you will be trained to know whether to cut the red wire or the blue wire.
Ammunition Technicians also operate the New Zealand Army’s bomb disposal robot.
Ammunition Technicians also deploy on a variety of overseas exercises and deployments in support of operational units and activities. Wherever the New Zealand Army has an international presence, we need Ammunition Technicians.
You could also be deployed to places such as Afghanistan to help with the disposal of ordinance – mines, shells, explosives etc.
Once you are qualified as a Lance Corporal, you could then be posted to the Ammunition Depots or to an Operational Improvised Explosive Device Disposal Team.
Careers in the Army are well-rewarded, as well as being diverse and exciting. As you become more experienced and move up through the ranks, gaining additional skills and qualifications, you will see your salary rise accordingly.
While undertaking initial Recruit Course you will be paid as a Recruit (see attached pay table). On completion of your Recruit Course you will be paid as a Private and your pay will continue to increase as your career progresses.
You must have completed at least three years at secondary school and have a proven ability in English, Maths and a Science subject at NCEA Level 1 (12 credits per subject) or equivalent.
Upon successful enlistment into the Army you will be posted to Waiouru Army base. Here you will do 16 weeks of basic military training to find out if you have what it takes to be in the Army, and learn various subjects including:
You will attend the RNZALR Basic Course in Trentham as well as an Ammunition Handlers Course and the Junior Ammunition Technician Course. On successful completion of these courses you will be posted to the Ammunition Depot in Waiouru.
The Junior Ammunition Technician course is conducted yearly at the Trade Training School, Trentham. You also gain experience in warehousing, occupational safety and health, movement of hazardous goods and other logistic functions that are elements of the RNZALR.
New Zealand Army Ammunition Technicians are well trained and sought after. You will gain marketable civilian qualifications that could later lead to positions with:
Your first posting will be posted to Trentham where you will spend your time under training.
Once you are qualified as a Lance Corporal, you could then be posted to the Ammunition Depots in Auckland or Glentunnel (just out of Christchurch), or to an operational Improvised Explosive Device Disposal Team in Auckland, Wellington or Christchurch.