Call Out for Ammunition Technical Officer Course (ATO) Applications

The Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) is looking for its next batch of recruits for the Canadian Ammunition Technical Officer Course (ATO).

The CAF chooses select officers to attend this course on an annual basis, and successful attendees of the course go on to work in various ATO positions.

The new selection method for officers on this course, which was changed in 2022, maximizes “opportunities for CAF members seeking this dynamic employment stream in keeping with efforts underway as part of operational sustainment modernization, according to CANFORGEN 100/24.

Course Details

CAF members chosen to attend this course can expect it to take up to 12 months, as it includes two phases in two locations. The first phase will be at the Royal Military College of Canada in Kingston and will cover the academic phase. The second phase will comprise the technical phase and take place at the Canadian Forces Logistics Training Centre at Canadian Forces Base Borden.

ATO-16 will begin in Sept. 2025 and end in August 2026.

Upon completion, ATO positions graduates can step into include: “aspects of ammunition and explosives inventory management (storage, transportation, issue, use and disposal), life cycle management (procurement, safety and suitability, inspection, maintenance and authorized modification) and execution of the ammunition and explosives safety program.”

ATO graduates will be in these jobs for an initial period ranging from two to three years with the possibility of future ATO employments, according to the CANFORGEN.

Application Process

Those interested in applying for this course should submit a notice of intent no later than Nov. 29, 2024, to start the screening process.

Candidates will be selected from the following three eligible occupations:

• LOG 00328
• AERE 00185
• NCS ENG 00344

Successful applicants will be notified by May 1, 2025.

Those interested in applying must have the following qualifications according to the military:

• Level II Security Clearance or in the process to acquire Level II
• Minimum medical profile colour vision 1.
• Physical fitness.
• At trade operational function point or confirmed ability to reach it before the course starts.
• Ability to complete a minimum of two years in an ATO Capt/LT (N) position after completing the course.

The notice of intent should be sent to the member’s career manager, OCC advisor and service succession lead for support.

The next phase is to complete a threshold knowledge test that will focus on physics, chemistry, mathematics and statistics at a university introductory level. Based on TKT score, interviews and position availability, CAF members will then be granted a spot on the course.

For more information about ATO Employment, people can reach out to the  SJS J4 Amma intranet site here.The link is accessible only on the National Defence network.

For specific questions on the application process contact J4 Ammo Staff at (PLUS)SJS J4 AMMO – EMIS J4 MUN (AT)SJS D LOG PROG(AT)OTTAWA-HULL [+SJS J4 AMMO – EMIS J4 MUN@SJS D Log Prog@Ottawa-Hull].