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They are responsible for maintaining, repairing, and modifying fire control systems, which are the weapons components that ensure accurate delivery of ammunition.

Electronic-Optronic Technicians (Land) belong to the Electrical and Mechanical Engineering Branch of the Canadian Forces. They are the only Electronic-Optronic Technicians dedicated to the Army, but they also support Air Force and Navy requirements. Firecontrol systems are the weapon components that ensure accurate delivery of ammunition to the intended target, and Electronic-Optronic Technicians (Land) are responsible for maintaining, repairing and modifying this equipment to keep it in top condition.

An Electronic-Optronic Technician (Land) has the following primary duties:

• Inspect, test, diagnose faults in, adjust, repair, recondition and modify electrical, electromechanical, electronic, electro-optic and mechanical equipment, optical instruments, and control systems for weapons and missiles;
• Repair surveillance and thermal observation systems;
• Maintain vehicle satellite navigation systems;
• Maintain fibre-optic systems;
• Repair LASER systems;
• Maintain optical, electrical and electronic test equipment;
• Repair portable and trailer-mounted power-generating systems;
• Operate and maintain general-purpose and specialized tools and equipment; and
• Drive military-pattern vehicles.

Electronic-Optronic Technicians (Land) must be responsible, independent individuals with a high level of technical aptitude and a strong interest in working with electronic equipment.

Qualified Electronic-Optronic Technicians (Land) who are ambitious and capable will find excellent opportunities for Advanced MOC Training and promotion. Electronic-Optronic Technicians (Land) are employed at bases and stations across Canada and on deployed operations around the world.

On successful completion of Basic MOC Training, Electronic-Optronic Technicians (Land) are posted to a unit on a Canadian Forces Base for about 18 months of on-the-job training (OJT), which resembles a civilian apprenticeship program. During the OJT period, they practise and build on the material taught during Basic MOC Training. After OJT, Electronic-Optronic Technicians (Land) are eligible for the 32-week intermediate MOC Training course at CFSEME. At the end of this training phase, an Electronic-Optronic Technician’s trade knowledge, skills and experience are comparable to those of a civilian journeyman.

Electronic-Optronic Technicians (Land) who display the ability and ambition required to excel may be selected for Advanced MOC Training at the Supervisor and Manager levels. The Supervisor level course takes about six weeks, and the Manager level course takes about nine weeks.

The following material is covered during Advanced MOC Training:

• Maintenance of digital computers;
• Maintenance of thermal sights;
• Maintenance of advanced surveillance equipment, LASERs, and fibre-optics;
• Maintenance of simulators and trainers; and
• Leadership and tactics.

The following specialty training may also be available:

• Maintenance of the electrical, electronic and optronic systems of the Leopard tank;
• Maintenance of the Javelin missile system;
• Maintenance of artillery computers;
• Air-conditioning equipment;
• Maintenance of the electrical, electronic and optronic systems of low-level air-defence (LLAD) weapons; and
• Simulators and trainers.

Electronic-Optronic Technicians (Land) posted to a base normally work in enclosed workshops that are lighted and heated. During field training and on operations in the field, Electronic-Optronic Technicians (Land) generally work in temporary or improvised accommodations, or outdoors where they may be exposed to extreme environmental and climatic conditions for extended periods. Working conditions typically include poor ventilation, confined work areas, and exposure to loud noise, heat, dust and fumes. Normal levels of mental stress are found when employed on a base, but stress increases considerably when on exercise or deployed on operations. Appropriate training, environmental clothing and equipment are provided, and Electronic-Optronic Technicians' health, safety and morale are closely monitored.