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About the role
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Specialisations
Engineering & Technical trades | Logistics & Administration
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Entry type
General entry
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Under training
$69,833
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Location
Various
As an Ammunition Technician, you are the Army’s technical subject matter expert in all things relating to ammunition and explosives. Your core role will be keeping the Defence Force armed in training and when deployed on operations. You will be responsible for managing the supply chain of ammunition and explosives which includes safe storage, inspections, maintenance and repair, safety and assurance and the conduct of technical investigations when there is an accident. At the end of shelf life you will plan and conduct the safe disposal by detonation of the ammunition. The demolition day in Waiouru video below provides the scale of what is disposed of by detonation. To quote Sergeant S. “the coolest thing about the job…blowing stuff up”!
You will also dispose of unexploded ordnance (UXO) and dangerous ammunition in New Zealand on live ranges and overseas on deployments and training. This ensures that logistics areas, vital infrastructure and the deployed force are safe from explosive remnants of war. Other explosives related work carried out by Ammunition Technicians are Explosive Ordnance Reconnaissance, the disposal of enemy cache ammunition and the clearance of battle damaged vehicles.
As an Ammunition Technician you are part of a highly trained small team that are experts in the different types of ammunition from the simple 5.56mm small arms round through to guided munitions. The technical training is World class with suitable Ammunition Technicians being selected to undertake Post Graduate study in Explosive Ordnance at the midpoint of their career.
Accepting Applications
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Recruit Regular Force 423, starts 22 Feb 2027 Apply by 19 Oct 2026
Apply Now
Requirements
Basics
- Must be 18 years old by the time you graduate from recruit course.
- Must have a Class 1 restricted driver’s licence with no traffic convictions.
- Eligible to meet national security clearance criteria, as stipulated by the Government's Protective Security Requirements.
- Pass a Selection Board.
Education
- 3 years secondary school.
Note, qualifications may be used to assess trade suitability.
Fitness & Medical
Citizenship
There are strict citizenship and security requirements to gain the required CV security clearance for this trade.
Find out if you’re eligible here.
Period of Service
There may be a return of service period for this trade.
Please contact our 0800 number or talk to your Candidate Experience Facilitator for more information.
We offer guidance on entry requirements in our eligibility section. Apply if you're uncertain, as we’ll work through the criteria with you to determine if you can proceed.
Demolition Day in Waiouru
An ammunition technician’s role in our Army is primarily to keep ammo and explosives safe, but part of the job means that a few times a year they need to safely destroy it.
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Job on base
The core capability of an Ammunition Technician is to ensure ammunition arrives in the correct quantity, type, place and time. As you are dealing with explosives it is critical the ammunition is safe and reliable for our personnel to use.
You will be trained in the safe and effective storage, inspection, maintenance and disposal of all the different explosive ordnance used by the Defence Force and other allied agencies and be able to conduct trials on ammunition. You will assist in the disposal of UXO’s and of unserviceable ammunition stocks, either by burning or detonation. You will learn to operate the different vehicles the NZDF utilise and be trained to operate within a Combat Services Support Team (CSST) in support of combat task groups.
As you become more experienced, you will assist in training other Defence Force personnel in ammunition safe handling, movement and disposal. You will receive exposure to more advanced technical training across the Ammunition Technician spectrum such as breakdown of ammunition, explosive ordnance engineering principles, advanced disposal techniques and weapons technical intelligence.
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Job on deployment
Ammunition Technicians also deploy overseas in support of exercises and operations. Recent deployments include Iraq, Afghanistan and various NZDF exercises in New Zealand and the south pacific.
As our Defence Force increases the amount and variety of training it conducts with other nations, there is an increasing demand for qualified Ammunition Technicians to provide technical advice across the entire explosive ordnance spectrum, and to ensure our ammunition and explosives remain in a safe and usable condition.
Career progression and training
01Basic Training
Basic Training
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:
- Organisation and Administration
- Army Customs and Protocol
- Drill and Parades
- Military Field Skills and Weapon Training
- First Aid
- Physical Fitness
02Job Training
Job Training
RNZALR BASIC COURSE
Conducted in two modules, Module One being a 1-day online course, and Module Two, a two week residential course held in either Linton or Burnham, where you will be introduced to basic RNZALR skills.
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Mod 1: introduces you to NZDF Health and Safety Policy covering Height Safety, Driver Fatigue Management and Equipment Care.
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Mod 2: covers introduction and qualification of non-trade specific tasks in an Operational Combat Service Support environment. This includes:
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Understand Combat Service Support to enable combat forces to sustain operations and achieve their mission,
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Operate In Service Radio Equipment; and
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Operation of the Machine Gun 7.62mm MAG 58 and the Pistol Glock 17.
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AMMUNITION HANDLERS COURSE
(1 Week) Location: Trentham Military Camp
On this course you will learn about how to handle, store and transport different types of ammunition.
EXPLOSIVE ORDNANCE TECHNICIAN PRIMARY COURSE
(7 Weeks) Location: Trentham Military Camp
On completion of your RNZALR Basic Course you will begin your trade training. The Primary Course teaches you the basic technical theory and mechanical and scientific functioning within all natures of ammunition, including Navy and Air Force ammunition and explosives. You will be trained to certify ammunition and explosives, to ensure they are safe to move by road, rail, sea and air.
You will also learn how to safely make up basic explosive charges, and gain experience in warehousing, occupational safety and health, movement of hazardous goods, and other essential logistical functions.
On successful completion of this course you will be posted to the Defence Ammunition Depot in Waiouru to consolidate your knowledge with practical, hands on continuation training.
NZDF CONVENTIONAL MUNITION DISPOSAL ASSISTANTS COURSE
(3 Weeks) Location: Trentham Military Camp
The final step in your initial job training is qualifying as an NZDF Conventional Munitions Disposal Assistant you will be part of a team responsible for ensuring that NZDF training areas, land leased by NZDF for military activities remain free from unexploded ordnance and safe for future use.
03Ongoing Training
Ongoing Training
Throughout your career you will attend three RNZALR Logistics Specialist courses to gain qualifications in warehouse and account management that contributes to competently performing your duties as an Ammunition Technician.
Around your second year in the Trade you will start to consolidate and build more Ammunition Compliance and Technical knowledge that is gained through:
NZDF INTERMEDIATE EXPLOSIVE ORDNANCE TECHNICIAN COURSE
(3 Weeks) Location: Trentham Military Camp
Moving onto a more hands-on role within the trade, this course covers the inspections, repair, proof and surveillance of in-service natures of ammuntion and explosives. Students are also qualified to conduct annual inspections on both bulk depot ammunition facilities and user unit ammunition and explosive holding facilities to ensure compliance with local and international rules and regulations.
NZDF CONVENTIONAL MUNITIONS DISPOSAL OPERATORS COURSE
(5 Weeks) Location: Trentham and Waiouru Military Camps
Students will now move into commanding a Conventional Munitions Disposal Team responsible for identifying, supervising and disposing of military munitions on NZDF land or land leased by NZDF for training (including on operations).
NZDF SENIOR EXPLOSIVE ORDNANCE TECHNICIAN COURSE (10 Weeks)
(10 Weeks) Location: Trentham and Waiouru Military Camps
This course exposes students to the supervisory and management duties of a Defence Ammunition Depot. This is inclusive of accounting processes, supervising performance testing of ammunition and explosives, undertaking logistic disposals of unserviceable ammunition and explosives and also certifying NZDF facilities to store ammuntion and explosives.
NZDF ADVANCED EXPLOSIVE ORDNANCE TECHNICIANS COURSE (2 weeks)
(2 Weeks) Location: Trentham Military Camp
This course takes students through the nations ammunition and explosives procurement and inventory management requirements preparing you for a regulatory and policy role within the New Zealand Army and wider Defence organisation.
04Career Progression
Career Progression
Early in your career you will be posted to the 2nd Combat Services Support Battalion (2CSSB) located in Linton (near Palmerston North) where you will gain a broad experience in ammunition and logistics matters before being posted to a Defence Ammunition Depot in Christchurch or Waiouru to further your technical knowledge.
Later on in your career you can be posted as an instructor at the Defence Explosive Ordnance School (DEOS) in Trentham Camp (near Upper Hutt) or to the Defence Munitions Management Group headquarters to advise the defence force on ammunition and explosive matters.
As you are promoted in rank and gain more technical experience and knowledge in the trade, there are a variety of different job opportunities and training courses you can take up within NZ Army and wider Defence Force. These include operational deployments overseas, participation in major international exercises or military exchanges, regimental postings to help train new recruits or junior leaders and all arms training courses which will broaden your employability and enhance your soldier skillsets.
Benefits & allowances
Earn a competitive salary while training or learning your trade, along with additional allowances for time spent in the field, at sea, overseas, or deployed on operations.
In addition to salary and allowances, other benefits of joining the New Zealand Defence Force include:
- Access to your Service marae or tūrangawaewae
- Sponsored tertiary study programmes at all levels
- Free access to gyms and swimming pools on camp and bases
- Opportunities to travel
- Free and subsidised medical and dental care
- Subsidised food and accommodation on camps and bases
- Subsidised insurance cover
Salary & benefits
Careers in the Army are well-rewarded, diverse and exciting. As you become more experienced and move up through the ranks, gaining additional skills and qualifications, your salary will rise accordingly.
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Under training
$69,833
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Future potential earnings
$100,996
Am I fit enough?
If you want to be part of the NZ Defence Force you need to be medically and physically fit for military duties worldwide.
Medical & Fitness
The application process
Your step-by-step guide on what to expect at various stages of the application process, specifically for military roles.
Application process
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