The Royal Logistic Corps' Ammunition Technical Officers (ATOs) are the Army’s experts in ammunition and explosives, bomb disposal and weapons intelligence. They are professional explosives engineers who do not just lead Ammunition Technicians (ATs), but also carry out ammunition technical and bomb disposal tasks themselves.

From 9mm pistol rounds to guided missile systems, you will understand every piece of land service ammunition. As your skills develop, you will be called upon to perform the clearance of conventional munitions, unexploded ordnance and improvised explosive devices and could provide integral support to out of area operations and government agencies.

ATOs and the Ammunition Technicians they command, are held in the highest esteem across the Army and wider Defence. This reputation has been earned through their professionalism, their physical and moral courage and the battle-winning effect they deliver on the front line of every operation the Army deploys on.

The ATO Course is detailed and provides all the training necessary for a full career as an ATO. Academic, as well as practical standards are very high on the course, during which you will have the opportunity to earn a PG Certificate in Explosives Ordnance Engineering, which can subsequently be progressed to the full MSc. 

The entry standard for the course is a GCSE (A-C/9-4) in Maths, plus two Sciences or A Levels in Maths and Physics or Chemistry. Additionally, ATOs need Colour Perception level 3 as a minimum.

Phase One – academic grounding at Shrivenham Defence Academy

During Phase One at Shrivenham, you are given a grounding in the academic aspects of ammunition. You will also conduct research projects looking at the cutting edge of new science and technology in the ammunition realm. You will leave Shrivenham with a Post-Graduate Certificate in Explosive Ordnance Engineering.

Phase Two – Practical application at Defence EOD, Search and Munitions (DEMS) Regiment

Initially, you will study all in-service ammunition and following this, you will learn about the correct handling and storage of ammunition. Next, you will study Logistic Disposal and the Conventional Munition Disposal (CMD) phase. The final stage focuses on the investigation of incidents that occur in relation to ammunition. The last part of training is the Defence EOD Operators Course (DEOC). This stage is the rendering safe of Improvised Explosive Devices that could be used in the mainland UK.

On completion of the course, ATOs are automatically eligible to become members of the Institute of Explosives Engineers and further their professional development with the goal of gaining Chartered Engineer status. 

ATOs are the most widely employable of all RLC Officers and are employed in mainstream logistic and wider Army posts as well as ATO appointments. Those ATOs that are EOD qualified and employed in EOD appointments may qualify for additional EOD pay.

The opportunity to serve in specialist ATO posts and generalist RLC posts, including parachute and commando units, opens up more opportunities for command and promotion.

The Petroleum Operator Officers' Course will train you in the receipt, storage, testing and distribution of fuels and lubricants. You will learn how to site, build and operate deployable Bulk Fuel Installations and ensure the quality of products through inspection and chemical analysis.

You will also understand the chemical makeup of fuel and its characteristics and know how to make fuel fit for purpose.

This course is currently in the process of being redesigned for the start of 2021 - further information will be published when it becomes available.

The course is open to Tri-Service Officers and International Officers. At present, the course includes time at Cranfield University, theory at Worthy Down, Winchester and practical training across the Defence Training Estate. There are also opportunities to visit civilian counterparts.

The Officers’ Petroleum Course is designed to train officers to be able to work at staff level with any type of fuel.

Following the course, you will be able to plan, move, store and distribute all fuel types through pipelines, Joint Operational Fuel System (JOFS), vehicles and other methods in accordance with legislation and regulations.

Additionally, you will learn how to plan fuel as part of Brigade/ Air Group deployments and generate all Healthy & Safety, risk, fire and spill paperwork required when using fuel. 

The aim of the Logistic Officers' Contracts Course (LOCC) is to prepare RLC Officers for Logistic Contract Management appointments in the Firm Base and Deployed Space.

When deployed, the British Army frequently utilises Host Nation Support and those who attend the Officers' Contracts Course will be responsible for negotiating, implementing and managing contracts that support the whole force; from fresh food supplies to fuel.

This course is currently in the process of being redesigned - further information will be published when it becomes available. 

Specialist postings on completion of the course include:

• SO3/SO2 Log Support Services
• Officer in Command Contracts
• SO3/SO2 Contact Support Officer (PJHQ)
• Local Resource Section Troop Commander
• Host Nation Support Officer
• 2IC Sustainment Fusion Cell (SFC)
• SO3/SO2 Regional Infrastructure Cell
• SO3 CCC (Contracts Continuity Cell) - new post in 104 Brigade

The Port and Maritime Officers’ Course aims to train selected RLC Officers and SNCOs to oversee safe and efficient Port and Maritime operations.

The course is designed to train officers so that they can operate in a Port and Maritime environment, in all operational theatres worldwide.

Upon completion of the course, you will be assigned to 17 Port and Maritime Regiment as an Operations Officer. You will perform beach and port reconnaissance tasks and plan and conduct the loading and discharge of strategic shipping. You will deploy with Port Task Groups and undertake operations around the world in support of military and humanitarian relief operations.

Officers who receive an Assignment Order to a 17 Port and Maritime Regiment appointment will complete this course. 

The Officers' Course can may also be completed by Warrant Officers and Staff Sergeants on recommendation of 17 Port and Maritime Regiment. 

Military Swim Test (required for the Basic Sea Survival Course).

Students are to be in possession of valid driving licences.

Training is delivered by 73 Squadron in the Sea Mounting Centre in Southampton over a duration of 51 days. The following Training objectives (TOs) are completed:

Outline the Management of Port Operations – planning the Reception, Staging, Onward Movement and Integration (RSOI) of Force Elements and explaining Port Equipment Care Procedures.

Explain the Management of Maritime Operations – this includes planning a Maritime deployment, carrying out a beach recce and using Maritime Communications Systems.  

Students will also look into the capabilities of vessels and equipment in a Port Task Group, management of a Port and Maritime Operations room and interpreting Port and Maritime Policy and Doctrine.

The Basic Sea Survival Course is delivered by the Royal Navy at HMS Excellent in Portsmouth (5 days) and the Amphibious Warfare Planning Course (AWPC) is delivered at HMS Collingwood (5 days).

Those who are selected for the course are assigned to 17 Port and Maritime Regiment RLC and will take up a Squadron Operations Officer post for a 24-month tour, during which there is the opportunity to be assigned to the Port Commandant post in the Falkland Islands for six months.

From September 2021, the Gap Year Commission will be replaced with the Army Internship Programme. The programme will be open to those who have a firm (or in exceptional cases, conditional) offer to read a first degree at a University or College or those who have graduated within the last two years. Those individuals should apply to the National Recruitment Centre to initiate the application process. Once eligibility checks have been completed, the individual should contact The RLC to express an interest. RHQ RLC will then track and assist these individuals through the Commissioning Briefing, Colonel RLC interview and throughout the RMAS Commissioning Course Short.

Training begins at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst (RMAS) by completing the Commission Course Short. Candidates will then serve in a Regular Unit for between six and eighteen months on Gap Year Commission terms of service. Later on, candidates can transfer to the Army Reserve or having attended the full Commissioning Course at RMAS, begin full-time service in the Regular Army. Candidates will benefit from a year spent working with highly professional personnel, building leadership skills and developing themselves in preparation for a career in the British Army.

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