Ordnance Insignia of the British Army

Ammunition Technicians in the TA

The first role for ATOs and ATs in TA reserve units was in 1977, when two Replenishment Park (RP) Companies were formed (40 & 41 RP Companies RAOC (V)) with ammunition roles as part of 1 BR Corps Combat Supplies Battalion RAOC (43,44 & 49 RP Companies) Each RP company had an establishment for one ATO and four ATs who could be TA (normally filled by recently discharged regulars) or reservists. 40 & 41 RP companies were later re-rolled as ammunition companies within 5 Ordnance Battalion RAOC, with their complement of ATO/ATs remaining the same. It was never intended to train TA Ammunition Technicians, All Badged ATO/ATs in the TA have been ex-regular army.

It was not until 1986 that it was decided to form a TA RAOC EOD specialist unit. The RAOC only had one specialist EOD unit (11 Ordnance Battalion) with detachments in Northern Ireland and at selected locations in the UK, it was decided that the TA companies should form part of this regular unit. Three TA EOD companies were formed (531, 631 & 731 EOD Companies RAOC (V)) (Later to become EOD Squadrons RLC (V) of 11 EOD Regiment, Royal Logistics Corps) and to have 60, 2 man EOD teams (20 to a company) available for use in time of war (Not to reinforce regular EOD units in Northern Ireland or Mainland UK on IEDD duties) The original idea was again to use ex-regular ATOs & ATs, but due to a (severe) shortage of ex-regular ATOs & ATs wishing to fill the TA posts, a new trade of 'EOD Operative' was formed, trained in EOD work only, and not in the much wider technical ammunition and guided weapon duties required of a regular army Ammunition Technician.

A more recent development was the approval for members of the RLC TA to train as EOD Operators, those who qualified as Class 2 Operators were allowed to wear a modified Ammunition Technicians Badge, with the A changed to V (for Volunteer)

Changing Titles for Volunteers

Explosive Ordnance Disposal Operator (Volunteer)  This qualification required both practical ability and extensive technical knowledge of conventional munitions disposal (CMD) and improvised explosives device disposal (IEDD). In achieving this qualification, you attend the Regular Army's Intermediate Improvised Explosive Device Disposal Course.

On the disbandment of the Explosive Ordnance Disposal Squadrons, Volunteer EOD Operators are now undergoing extensive conversion training to qualify as Volunteer Ammunition Technicians.

The new trade will provide a full range of technical services for the ammunition and explosives using community and Senior Ranks may be required to leads teams of technicians and other soldiers in any of the inspection, repair, disposal or recovery tasks for which they are being trained and prepared.

Regular Ammunition Technicians and Technical Officers who transfer to the Territorial Army will Continue to wear the Regular style of badges.
While Volunteer Ammunition Technicians will wear the ‘Flaming V’ Volunteer Officers however may now wear the regular ATO badge.

Left - TA Ammunition ‘Volunteers’ Badge

Right - TA Ammunition ‘Volunteers’ Badge - Officer (Locally modified ATO Badge)

TA Ammunition ‘Volunteers’ Wire & Bullion Versions for use on No 1 & Mess Dress