Top student encourages applicants to Ammunition Technician Course

An army officer wearing glasses sat with glass decanter award in front of him.

The top student from the latest Ammunition Technician (AT) Course, Class 106, had some words of advice for those thinking of applying for the next course.

Lance Corporal Peter Balogh was presented with a cut glass decanter by the Most Worshipful Company of Gold and Silver Wyre Drawers, Mr Mike West and Mr Tim McAndrew. Tim, who was visiting the Defence College for Military Capability Integration (DCMCI) for the first time, was very impressed with the standard of the AT student presentations delivered at the Defence Weapons, Ordnance, Munitions, Explosions (WOME) Engineering School (DWES).

When asked about his reason for applying for this course, LCpl Balogh said:

“I joined the army in 2016, Queen’s Royal Hussars, an armoured regiment. I learnt how to fire ammunition and how the firing mechanisms work, but I wanted to learn more. I met a sergeant from the Ammunition Technical trade, what he told me was of interest, so I researched the trade and here I am.

For me, I believe this trade makes a direct impact during peacetime, making areas of civilian life safe from explosive ordnance devices (EOD). Compared to the armoured regiment this trade has more avenues due to the broad spectrum of activities it gets involved with and as this trade encourages professionalism through the ranks, I will enjoy working towards my engineering qualification and applying my knowledge as a subject matter expert. Plus, the deployments offer more travel opportunities!

Previously, as tank crew I learnt how to fire ammunition, now I have learnt about the intricacies of weapon systems, about the ammunition. This course and trade challenges the mind, rather than being physically demanding like some others.

Having completed this foundation course, I will now be moving on to the next course where I will learn more, specifically about the trade. And after, I am looking forward to different postings which will use my specific skills depending on that role. I am also seeing how the skills I am learning are transferable when my army career ends. But before then I hope to have a long career and really become focused on my trade, and maybe later in my career I might return to Defence Academy to teach.”

The AT Course is delivered in the DCMCI by the DWES in partnership with Cranfield University. The course prepares Royal Logistic Corps (RLC) Junior Non-Commissioned Officers (JNCOs) in their future employment to safely store, transport, distribute and dispose of energetic substances, along with an introduction into explosives ordnance disposal.

Completing the course sees the students register for a Modern Apprenticeship Level 4 in Ordnance Munitions and Explosives. The training is approved by the Institute of Explosive Engineers and thus enables them to become professionally registered as Engineering Technician (Eng Tech) with the UK Engineering Council once they have gained appropriate industry experience.

Head of DWES, Lieutenant Colonel Steve Roberts MBE, summarised:

"It was an absolute pleasure educating these exceptionally bright and highly motivated soldiers over the past seven weeks in the first principles of Weapons, Ordnance, Munitions, and Explosives. Their hard-won knowledge and outstandingly positive attitude will give them the operational edge when they complete the second phase of the challenging Ammunition Technician course at Kineton and move on to their respective units."

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