Ammo Tech Course graduates first class at Fort Lee

FORT LEE, Va., Oct. 20, 2011 -- Months of planning and coordination came to fruition during a ceremony at the Army Logistics University here Oct. 14.

ALU's Technical Logistics College graduated its first Ammunition Technician Warrant Officer Class, or ATWOC, at Dickerson Auditorium, capping an extensive effort to move the course from it former location at Redstone Arsenal, Ala.

"We've worked this for a full year before (the students) got here," said Chief Warrant Officer 3 Christopher Haynes, the class instructor/writer. "It is a special day."

More than 75 people attended the event. They included the leadership of the Technical Logistics College and Chief Warrant 4 David Turner, the guest speaker who is currently assigned as a munitions subject matter expert at the Department of the Army.

The 11-week course relocated here as a result of the Base Realignment and Closure mandate that moved two Ordnance Schools, the Transportation School along with several thousand students to Fort Lee to join the Quartermaster School. Haynes said bringing the various schools to one location has its practical merits.

"We're able to integrate with the rest of the logisticians here," said Haynes, "so we can get a more well-rounded aspect as we train."

The ATWOC class is one of ALU's smallest. The recent graduates, Warrant Officer Basic Class 0006-11, numbered only eight. Haynes said small class sizes are the norm for this particular course.

"Our max is eight so we can ensure they get the proper, one-on-one instruction they need from a technical aspect," he said.

The ATWOC graduates are typically assigned as ammunition managers.

"Some will work for a colonel at the brigade level," said Haynes, "and some will run an ammunition supply point. Those positions are interchangeable, and they are trained for both."

Haynes said he expects six to seven ATWOC classes to graduate per year. The second ATWOC is currently in session.

Related Links:

Fort Lee