WEBVTT 00:00:04.129 --> 00:00:06.756 align:middle line:79% position:50% size:63% I'm Private Spencer Sloan from Buckingham, Quebec. 00:00:06.756 --> 00:00:10.051 align:middle line:79% position:50% size:110% I'm an Ammunition Technician posted to Canadian Armed Forces Base Borden. 00:00:11.720 --> 00:00:16.850 align:middle line:79% position:50% size:113% Ammunition Technicians, or Ammo Techs, are the experts at issuing, storing, shipping 00:00:16.850 --> 00:00:20.562 align:middle line:79% position:50% size:73% and disposing of ammunition in the Canadian Armed Forces. 00:00:20.562 --> 00:00:24.774 align:middle line:79% position:50% size:118% They are technical advisors who are entrusted to ensure that all ammunition 00:00:24.774 --> 00:00:28.570 align:middle line:85% position:50% size:125% and explosives the Forces require are safe to use. 00:00:28.570 --> 00:00:31.322 align:middle line:85% position:50% size:120% Ammo Techs have to know every kind of munition - 00:00:31.322 --> 00:00:34.701 align:middle line:79% position:50% size:88% how it looks, how it sounds, and the dangers in dealing with it. 00:00:35.410 --> 00:00:41.750 align:middle line:79% position:50% size:105% Anything from what a machine gun can fire, a rifle, a pistol, artillery, 00:00:41.750 --> 00:00:45.628 align:middle line:79% position:50% size:70% as well as tank ammunition, whether it's high explosives 00:00:45.628 --> 00:00:49.007 align:middle line:79% position:50% size:100% or just big sabot rounds that are meant to go through the armour, 00:00:51.217 --> 00:00:52.469 align:middle line:85% position:50% size:53% all within the range. 00:00:52.886 --> 00:00:56.389 align:middle line:79% position:50% size:103% Ammo Techs operate a variety of equipment and work with other trades 00:00:56.389 --> 00:00:59.184 align:middle line:85% position:50% size:103% to move ammunition where it needs to go - 00:00:59.184 --> 00:01:03.897 align:middle line:79% position:50% size:120% be it across Canada, or overseas to support military operations around the world. 00:01:05.273 --> 00:01:08.943 align:middle line:79% position:50% size:95% This unique career path is well suited to those who have an inclination 00:01:08.943 --> 00:01:11.571 align:middle line:85% position:50% size:110% for technical knowledge and troubleshooting. 00:01:11.571 --> 00:01:14.908 align:middle line:79% position:50% size:98% Attention to detail is a critical skill for an Ammunition Technician. 00:01:15.950 --> 00:01:18.328 align:middle line:79% position:50% size:85% There's no cutting corners in the Ammunition Technician trade 00:01:18.328 --> 00:01:22.415 align:middle line:79% position:50% size:115% because the more you cut corners, the more that you could be bypassing safeties, 00:01:22.415 --> 00:01:24.250 align:middle line:85% position:50% size:68% not doing your job properly 00:01:24.250 --> 00:01:28.880 align:middle line:79% position:50% size:123% and then that's when things can potentially get dangerous, that we try to avoid at all costs. 00:01:29.547 --> 00:01:32.634 align:middle line:79% position:50% size:75% The daily work of an Ammo Tech is incredibly varied. 00:01:32.634 --> 00:01:38.223 align:middle line:79% position:50% size:123% On exercises here in Canada, they are responsible for safety-checking and issuing munitions, 00:01:38.223 --> 00:01:42.811 align:middle line:79% position:50% size:113% keeping track of what's used, and taking back and storing what isn't fired. 00:01:42.811 --> 00:01:47.482 align:middle line:79% position:50% size:125% When the exercise is over, they go out and clear the range of unexploded shells and missiles. 00:01:47.982 --> 00:01:52.237 align:middle line:79% position:50% size:93% To become an Ammunition Technician, you do need to love blowing stuff up. 00:01:52.237 --> 00:01:55.782 align:middle line:79% position:50% size:88% You get to do something that no one else in civilian life - 00:01:55.782 --> 00:01:58.117 align:middle line:85% position:50% size:113% and most people even in the Army - get to do. 00:02:03.498 --> 00:02:07.877 align:middle line:79% position:50% size:90% In the earliest stages of my career, I was able to do a three-month stint 00:02:07.877 --> 00:02:12.048 align:middle line:79% position:50% size:118% working with the Special Forces, and being an Ammo Tech and working side-by-side 00:02:12.048 --> 00:02:16.344 align:middle line:79% position:50% size:118% with their technicians and seeing how life was on their side of the fence. 00:02:16.344 --> 00:02:21.599 align:middle line:79% position:50% size:108% It was very different, it was a lot more fast-paced, even more than it is here, 00:02:21.599 --> 00:02:26.813 align:middle line:79% position:50% size:105% and the constant changes, the different things that happen, the different people - 00:02:26.813 --> 00:02:32.110 align:middle line:79% position:50% size:125% there was a lot of information that came in that I've been retaining and trying to learn from. 00:02:32.110 --> 00:02:35.071 align:middle line:79% position:50% size:75% And it was a great experience and I'd love to do that again. 00:02:43.162 --> 00:02:47.417 align:middle line:79% position:50% size:108% After becoming trade-qualified, Ammo Techs will work on bases across Canada 00:02:47.417 --> 00:02:52.088 align:middle line:79% position:50% size:120% in facilities that hold national inventory of ammunition and explosives. 00:02:52.088 --> 00:02:54.549 align:middle line:79% position:50% size:73% They work with all aspects of the ammunition life cycle. 00:02:55.425 --> 00:02:58.636 align:middle line:79% position:50% size:78% It all starts at Day 1, when it's getting manufactured. 00:02:58.636 --> 00:03:02.724 align:middle line:79% position:50% size:98% It gets shipped to our depot; we do an inspection on it to accept it; 00:03:02.724 --> 00:03:07.020 align:middle line:79% position:50% size:118% we then store it into our mags; and then we'll take out potentially parts of it 00:03:07.020 --> 00:03:10.356 align:middle line:85% position:50% size:100% to issue it out to other units or bases; 00:03:10.356 --> 00:03:15.737 align:middle line:79% position:50% size:125% and if it's been in the mag for too long, then we take it out and we do a periodic inspection on it; 00:03:15.737 --> 00:03:22.160 align:middle line:79% position:50% size:123% then that will go on until either the lot is done or until it's at the end of its life cycle. 00:03:22.160 --> 00:03:25.538 align:middle line:79% position:50% size:98% Then we'll go to the range and it will be disposed of accordingly. 00:03:26.414 --> 00:03:31.252 align:middle line:79% position:50% size:108% Ammo Techs rotate through various sections, such as Tech Services, Receipts & Issues, 00:03:31.252 --> 00:03:33.922 align:middle line:85% position:50% size:100% Warehouse, Explosive Safety and Salvage. 00:03:35.089 --> 00:03:37.884 align:middle line:79% position:50% size:68% Typically these rotations last three months or longer 00:03:37.884 --> 00:03:42.680 align:middle line:79% position:50% size:115% to ensure that each Ammunition Technician becomes well rounded in all facets of the job. 00:03:44.390 --> 00:03:47.727 align:middle line:79% position:50% size:105% As you gain experience, you'll have a chance for advanced training 00:03:47.727 --> 00:03:52.315 align:middle line:79% position:50% size:98% on Canadian and international courses and the disposal of chemical munitions. 00:03:57.612 --> 00:04:00.490 align:middle line:79% position:50% size:80% And there are many opportunities to travel across Canada, 00:04:00.490 --> 00:04:03.785 align:middle line:79% position:50% size:105% and overseas in support of current military operations. 00:04:10.541 --> 00:04:14.337 align:middle line:79% position:50% size:85% If you have any kind of curiosity, this is the place for you. 00:04:14.337 --> 00:04:18.800 align:middle line:79% position:50% size:105% Because you're always driven to be better, there's always something new to learn 00:04:18.800 --> 00:04:21.678 align:middle line:79% position:50% size:80% and there's always something new happening in the ammo world. 00:04:21.678 --> 00:04:25.890 align:middle line:79% position:50% size:123% And there's always going to be fastballs and there's always going to be something going on 00:04:25.890 --> 00:04:30.019 align:middle line:79% position:50% size:125% that you've never seen before no matter how many years you've been in the trade. 00:04:30.019 --> 00:04:33.314 align:middle line:79% position:50% size:115% There's always something that's going to go a different way than you expect it 00:04:33.314 --> 00:04:36.484 align:middle line:85% position:50% size:95% and then you get to learn - every day.