Weapons Technician – Land

As a member of the military, Weapons Technicians maintain and repair weapons, weapons systems and ancillary equipment. They are members of the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) Corps of Royal Canadian Electrical and Mechanical Engineers. They are responsible for the maintenance and repair of miscellaneous equipment such as scales, hydraulic lifts, locks and security containers, personal flotation devices, rebreathers, and equipment for heating, cooking and lighting in the field.

• Maintenance and repair of weapons, weapons systems and ancillary equipment.
• Rifles, sub-machine guns and handguns.
• Machine-guns and non-guided anti-tank weapons.
• Sub-calibre adapters.
• Training devices, including simulators.
• Grenade projectors, mortars and launcher systems.
• Light weapons and turret systems for armoured fighting vehicles.

Weapons Technicians are employed at bases and stations across Canada and on deployed operations around the world. They may work in small spaces, such as a workshop, on a base, and in the field or on deployment they may work outdoors most of the time or in temporary accommodations. Regular Force members are assigned to their first base after completion of training, with postings (relocations) possible.

Primary Reserve members work part-time with a Reserve unit and may balance school or civilian work; weekends and some evenings are typical with the potential for full-time employment.

• Direct Entry Options

No previous work experience or career-related skills are required. CAF recruiters can help you decide if your personal interests and attributes match the criteria for this occupation.

The minimum required education to apply for this occupation is the completion of the provincial requirements for Grade 10 or Secondary 4 in Quebec, including Grade 10 Applied Math or Math 416 / CST 4 in Quebec, and Grade 10 Science or equivalent. Foreign education may be accepted.

The first stage of training is the Basic Military Qualification course, or Basic Training, held at the Canadian Forces Leadership and Recruit School in Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Quebec. This training provides the basic core skills and knowledge common to all trades. A goal of this course is to ensure that all recruits maintain the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) physical fitness standard; as a result, the training is physically demanding.

Weapons Technicians attend the Royal Canadian Electrical and Mechanical Engineers School in Borden, Ontario for 35 weeks. Through a combination of instruction, demonstrations and practical work, they learn the following subjects:

• Care and use of common and special tools and electrical test equipment
• Operation and principles of weapon systems
• Electricity and hydraulics
• Use of firearms, pyrotechnics and grenades
• Maintenance of small arms, mortars, recoilless rifles, towed field guns, and turret systems for armoured fighting vehicles
• Basic identification and handling of ammunition
• Alignment of sighting devices
• Test-firing weapons
• Knowledge of various ancillary equipment
• Basic soldiering skills, including field craft, rescue techniques and first aid
• Operation of light armoured vehicles, armoured reconnaissance vehicles and armoured personnel carriers

Weapons Technicians are posted to a unit on a CAF base for about 18 months of on-job training which resembles a civilian apprenticeship program.

Weapons Technicians may be offered the opportunity to develop specialized skills through formal courses and on-the-job training, including attending further technical training. There is also the possibility of taking training to reach supervisor and manager levels. The supervisor level course takes about 15 weeks, and the manager level course takes about nine weeks.

As they progress in their career, Weapons Technicians who demonstrate the required ability and potential will be offered advanced training. Available courses include:

• High security containers and locking devices
• Leopard tank
• GIAT light towed Howitzer
• M777 medium lightweight towed Howitzer

After Basic Training, Army recruits go to a Military Training centre for the Basic Military…