Ammunition Technical Officer
Encyclopedia
An Ammunition Technical Officer (ATO) is an officer
involved in all aspects of the army's use of ammunition
. This includes; bomb disposal
, explosives accident investigation, procurement, in service management, storage, and inspection and repair.
; however when an Ammunition Technician
(AT) Warrant Officer (WO) or Senior Non-Commissioned Officer (SNCO) is selected for commission, his AT qualification transfers to that of an ATO. One such example is Major Peter Norton
GC
.
Training as an ATO lasts 16 months and requires attendance at the Royal Military College of Science and the Defence EOD Munitions Search School Kineton formerly known as the Army School of Ammunition
. At its conclusion the new ATO may take command of an EOD
Troop within 11 EOD Regiment
, or be employed within an Ammunition Squadron or ammunition depot.
In 11 EOD Regiment, in addition to the Troop Commander's role, the ATO performs Counter-Terrorist bomb disposal
activities and IEDD within the UK and Northern Ireland, leading an EOD team. WO and SNCO ATs may also lead EOD teams, and when doing so are often referred to (incorrectly) as the ATO.
ATs and ATOs can undergo further EOD training at the Felix Centre within the Defence EOD Munitions Search School Kineton. ATOs are the UK's Ammunition experts, with many years of experience in Palestine, Aden, Cyprus, Northern Ireland
, the Balkans
, Iraq
, Afghanistan
, and anywhere where the British Army have forces deployed and require EOD expertise and advice.
Armed Forces of other nations also have ATOs, some of which are trained by the British Army. These countries include Canada
and Singapore
.
George Medal
Military Cross
Queen's Gallantry Medal
Queen's Gallantry Medal
with Bar
also employs ATOs, who are members of the Royal Australian Army Ordnance Corps
(RAAOC). RAAOC ATOs are trained in Australia, and this training has also been made available to members of other regional (Asia/South Pacific) Defence Forces.
has ATOs who are trained at the Pakistan Army Ordnance School. They are selected from the officers of the Pakistan Army Ordnance Corps in almost the same manner as that of the British Army ATOs. They are specialists in the Ammunition field, and have many years of experience within Pakistan and other countries, such as Liberia
, Congo
, Ivory Coast
, Sudan and Darfur, and anywhere the Pakistan Army deploys as part of the UN. Pakistan ATOs have the unique honour of handling IEDs and completing EOD Operations during War On Terror in Swat , North and South waziristan Agencies and even in the setteld areas of the countries. most of the ATOs have specialised from CIED and EOD Trg programmes covered by British and US EOD institutes to assist the Engineers Corps as a Technical expert to handle all IEDs and supervise their EOD activities.
Officer (armed forces)
An officer is a member of an armed force or uniformed service who holds a position of authority. Commissioned officers derive authority directly from a sovereign power and, as such, hold a commission charging them with the duties and responsibilities of a specific office or position...
involved in all aspects of the army's use of ammunition
Ammunition
Ammunition is a generic term derived from the French language la munition which embraced all material used for war , but which in time came to refer specifically to gunpowder and artillery. The collective term for all types of ammunition is munitions...
. This includes; bomb disposal
Bomb disposal
Bomb disposal is the process by which hazardous explosive devices are rendered safe. Bomb disposal is an all encompassing term to describe the separate, but interrelated functions in the following fields:*Military:...
, explosives accident investigation, procurement, in service management, storage, and inspection and repair.
British Army
ATOs are generally selected as Captains, exclusively from within the Royal Logistic CorpsRoyal Logistic Corps
The Royal Logistic Corps provides logistic support functions to the British Army. It is the largest Corps in the Army, comprising around 17% of its strength...
; however when an Ammunition Technician
Ammunition Technician
An Ammunition Technician is a British Army soldier trained to inspect, repair, test and store, and modify all ammunition and explosives used by the British Army...
(AT) Warrant Officer (WO) or Senior Non-Commissioned Officer (SNCO) is selected for commission, his AT qualification transfers to that of an ATO. One such example is Major Peter Norton
Peter Norton (soldier)
Major Peter Allen Norton GC is an ammunition technical officer with the British Army's Royal Logistic Corps who was awarded the George Cross for his service in Iraq.-George Cross:...
GC
George Cross
The George Cross is the highest civil decoration of the United Kingdom, and also holds, or has held, that status in many of the other countries of the Commonwealth of Nations...
.
Training as an ATO lasts 16 months and requires attendance at the Royal Military College of Science and the Defence EOD Munitions Search School Kineton formerly known as the Army School of Ammunition
Army School of Ammunition
The Army School of Ammunition is the main training school for Ammunition Technicians and Ammunition Technical Officers in the British Army. The school teaches students conventional land munitions, EOD and IEDD....
. At its conclusion the new ATO may take command of an EOD
Bomb disposal
Bomb disposal is the process by which hazardous explosive devices are rendered safe. Bomb disposal is an all encompassing term to describe the separate, but interrelated functions in the following fields:*Military:...
Troop within 11 EOD Regiment
11 EOD Regiment
11 EOD Regiment is a regiment of the British Army's Royal Logistic Corps responsible for Explosive Ordnance Disposal . The unit is manned by Ammunition Technical Officers and Ammunition Technicians...
, or be employed within an Ammunition Squadron or ammunition depot.
In 11 EOD Regiment, in addition to the Troop Commander's role, the ATO performs Counter-Terrorist bomb disposal
Bomb disposal
Bomb disposal is the process by which hazardous explosive devices are rendered safe. Bomb disposal is an all encompassing term to describe the separate, but interrelated functions in the following fields:*Military:...
activities and IEDD within the UK and Northern Ireland, leading an EOD team. WO and SNCO ATs may also lead EOD teams, and when doing so are often referred to (incorrectly) as the ATO.
ATs and ATOs can undergo further EOD training at the Felix Centre within the Defence EOD Munitions Search School Kineton. ATOs are the UK's Ammunition experts, with many years of experience in Palestine, Aden, Cyprus, Northern Ireland
The Troubles
The Troubles was a period of ethno-political conflict in Northern Ireland which spilled over at various times into England, the Republic of Ireland, and mainland Europe. The duration of the Troubles is conventionally dated from the late 1960s and considered by many to have ended with the Belfast...
, the Balkans
Balkans
The Balkans is a geopolitical and cultural region of southeastern Europe...
, Iraq
Iraq
Iraq ; officially the Republic of Iraq is a country in Western Asia spanning most of the northwestern end of the Zagros mountain range, the eastern part of the Syrian Desert and the northern part of the Arabian Desert....
, Afghanistan
Afghanistan
Afghanistan , officially the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, is a landlocked country located in the centre of Asia, forming South Asia, Central Asia and the Middle East. With a population of about 29 million, it has an area of , making it the 42nd most populous and 41st largest nation in the world...
, and anywhere where the British Army have forces deployed and require EOD expertise and advice.
Armed Forces of other nations also have ATOs, some of which are trained by the British Army. These countries include Canada
Canadian Forces Land Force Command
The Canadian Army , previously called Land Force Command, is responsible for army operations within the Canadian Forces. The current size of the Army is 19,500 regular soldiers and 16,000 reserve soldiers, for a total of around 35,500 soldiers...
and Singapore
Singapore Army
The Singapore Army is the branch of the Singapore Armed Forces responsible for land operations. It is the largest of the three armed services and heavily reliant on a conscript army, comprising the majority of Singapore's Operationally Ready National Servicemen .-Capabilities:The mission of the...
.
Operational Honours
George CrossGeorge Cross
The George Cross is the highest civil decoration of the United Kingdom, and also holds, or has held, that status in many of the other countries of the Commonwealth of Nations...
- Lieutenant W M Eastman GC. Royal Army Ordnance Corps. 24 December 1940.
- Captain R L Jephson-Jones GC. Royal Army Ordnance Corps. 24 December 1940.
- Major Stephen Styles GC. Royal Army Ordnance Corps. 11 January 1972.
- Captain Peter Norton GC. Royal Logistic Corps. 24 July 2005.
George Medal
George Medal
The George Medal is the second level civil decoration of the United Kingdom and Commonwealth.The GM was instituted on 24 September 1940 by King George VI. At this time, during the height of The Blitz, there was a strong desire to reward the many acts of civilian courage...
- Capt Daniel Marc Shepherd GM Royal Logistic Corps, 19 March 2010. Killed in Afghanistan following a series of improvised explosive deviceImprovised explosive deviceAn improvised explosive device , also known as a roadside bomb, is a homemade bomb constructed and deployed in ways other than in conventional military action...
s (IEDs) with which he had successfully dealt during his tour on Op HERRICK.
Military Cross
Military Cross
The Military Cross is the third-level military decoration awarded to officers and other ranks of the British Armed Forces; and formerly also to officers of other Commonwealth countries....
- Captain SD Bratcher MC Royal Logistic Corps, 24 March 2006.
- Major ID Scattergood MC Royal Logistic Corps, 25 July 2008.
Queen's Gallantry Medal
Queen's Gallantry Medal
The Queen's Gallantry Medal is the third level civil decoration of the United Kingdom and Commonwealth.It was instituted on 20 June 1974 to replace the Order of the British Empire for Gallantry, the British Empire Medal for Gallantry, and the Colonial Police Medal for Gallantry...
- Captain Vincent Michael Strafford QGM, Royal Logistic Corps. 19 July 2007
- Captain Wayne Edward James Owers QGM, Royal Logistic Corps, 19 March 2010
Queen's Gallantry Medal
Queen's Gallantry Medal
The Queen's Gallantry Medal is the third level civil decoration of the United Kingdom and Commonwealth.It was instituted on 20 June 1974 to replace the Order of the British Empire for Gallantry, the British Empire Medal for Gallantry, and the Colonial Police Medal for Gallantry...
with Bar
- Captain Eamon Conrad Heakin QGM, Royal Logistic Corps. 7 March 2008
- Captain Vincent Michael Strafford QGM, Royal Logistic Corps. 7 March 2008
Australian Army
The Australian ArmyAustralian Army
The Australian Army is Australia's military land force. It is part of the Australian Defence Force along with the Royal Australian Navy and the Royal Australian Air Force. While the Chief of Defence commands the Australian Defence Force , the Army is commanded by the Chief of Army...
also employs ATOs, who are members of the Royal Australian Army Ordnance Corps
Royal Australian Army Ordnance Corps
The Royal Australian Army Ordnance Corps is the Corps within the Australian Army concerned with supply and administration, as well as the demolition and disposal of explosives and salvage of battle-damaged equipment...
(RAAOC). RAAOC ATOs are trained in Australia, and this training has also been made available to members of other regional (Asia/South Pacific) Defence Forces.
Pakistan Army
The Pakistan ArmyPakistan Army
The Pakistan Army is the branch of the Pakistani Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. The Pakistan Army came into existence after the Partition of India and the resulting independence of Pakistan in 1947. It is currently headed by General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani. The Pakistan...
has ATOs who are trained at the Pakistan Army Ordnance School. They are selected from the officers of the Pakistan Army Ordnance Corps in almost the same manner as that of the British Army ATOs. They are specialists in the Ammunition field, and have many years of experience within Pakistan and other countries, such as Liberia
Liberia
Liberia , officially the Republic of Liberia, is a country in West Africa. It is bordered by Sierra Leone on the west, Guinea on the north and Côte d'Ivoire on the east. Liberia's coastline is composed of mostly mangrove forests while the more sparsely populated inland consists of forests that open...
, Congo
Democratic Republic of the Congo
The Democratic Republic of the Congo is a state located in Central Africa. It is the second largest country in Africa by area and the eleventh largest in the world...
, Ivory Coast
Côte d'Ivoire
The Republic of Côte d'Ivoire or Ivory Coast is a country in West Africa. It has an area of , and borders the countries Liberia, Guinea, Mali, Burkina Faso and Ghana; its southern boundary is along the Gulf of Guinea. The country's population was 15,366,672 in 1998 and was estimated to be...
, Sudan and Darfur, and anywhere the Pakistan Army deploys as part of the UN. Pakistan ATOs have the unique honour of handling IEDs and completing EOD Operations during War On Terror in Swat , North and South waziristan Agencies and even in the setteld areas of the countries. most of the ATOs have specialised from CIED and EOD Trg programmes covered by British and US EOD institutes to assist the Engineers Corps as a Technical expert to handle all IEDs and supervise their EOD activities.