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Service Branches
Work Environment
Ordnance specialists work indoors and outdoors. They work in repair shops while assembling explosives and repairing weapons. They work outdoors while repairing equipment in the field and loading weapons on tanks ships or aircraft.
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Military Status
Enlisted
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Average Military Salary
$61,642
Overview
Ordnance specialists are responsible for the safety, security, and accountability of the Military’s weapons and ammunition. They perform a wide variety of duties including the safe receipt, storage, and transport of ordnance. They also inspect, prepare, and dispose of weapons and ammunition. Some of these specialists deal solely with the destruction and demilitarization of explosive items.
Military Training
All enlisted service members complete basic military training which includes time spent in a classroom and in the field and covers tactical and survival skills physical training military life and customs and weapons training. Ordnance specialists in the Military will gain skills through classroom study and on-the-job experience. Job-specific training content may include:
- Maintenance of nuclear weapons
- Handling testing and maintenance of missiles and rockets
- Ammunition identification and ammunition-related publications
- Ammunition/maintenance operations
- Explosives demolition operations
- Operation of automated and manual ammunition management systems
- Basic electronics/electricity fundamentals
- Hazards and identification of United States and foreign munitions
- Demolition materials procedures and operations
- Chemical and biological ordnance and operations
- Chemical biological radiological nuclear and explosive incident defense (CBRNE)
Helpful Attributes
- Ability to remain calm under stress
- Interest in working with guns and explosives
Related Civilian Careers
- Elevator and Escalator Installers and Repairers
- Helpers--Installation, Maintenance and Repair Workers
- Hazardous Materials Removal Workers
- Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers
- Industrial Machinery Mechanics
- Mobile Heavy Equipment Mechanics, Except Engines
- Packers and Packagers, Hand
- Business Continuity Planners
- Bookkeeping, Accounting and Auditing Clerks
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