Qualification of an ammunition technical officer in contrary to an ammunition technician?

Answer 1

The main difference is in the way the training is delivered and the tasks undertaken by the different ranks. The training for Ammunition Technicians is generally given in rank specific packages. Basic Course for CPL, a Intermediate course for promotion to SGT and then an advanced course for promotion to Warrant Officer. Interspersed throughout this is the normal career postings and on job experience gained in each rank and posting. As well as this AT's can expect an IEDD course to be thrown in at some stage. This sees a Technician at WO2 having multiple postings with a high amount of experience combined with the formal training. Ammunition Technical Officers on the other hand are generally given their training in all the same areas as AT's in one course. At the end of the day the qualification is essentially the same, the difference comes from the time taken to get to the same point. It makes sense to do it this way. An ATO is an officer and commander, they are not the inspector looking at bullets day to day. On the other hand a CPL inspecting ammunition needs the experience on ammunition to make him a well rounded technician and capable of utilising this experience throughout their ammunition career. The two skills are complimentary and nearly symbiotic, and one without the other is only part of a highly qualified, skilled and extremely effective Ammunition package