James Rennick

As an Explosives Operator for CAAA, have taken initiative to assume responsibility, gain experience and amass extensive knowledge in performing variety of repetitive and manual explosive related operations involving assembling and disassembling of projectiles, rework and modification and repair of all types of ammunition and pyrotechnic items such as breakdown of 105mm White Phosphorus M60 Series cartridges by removing fuse cups, bursters and primers. Gauge, mark and package explosive filled munitions. Perform manual tasks such as assembling fuses, screwing and bolting down components to achieve mechanical strength and mixing primer and finish paints. Perform variety of assignments which involve increasing number of operations and required judgment and manual skill which include component control, weighing and blending component chemicals for various energetic or explosive compositions, weighing and pouring increments of energetic or explosive material in multistage press operations, stenciling, assembling/disassembling ammunition and munitions by inserting/removing a variety of more complex explosive and non-explosive parts in proper sequence. Train, observe and assist other explosive operators in performing such operations as weighing, mixing, blending, pressing, sub-assembly and assembly for a variety of energetic, explosive and inert material such as illumination compositions for visual and infrared pyrotechnic candles, various smoke and signal marker compositions, decoy flare compositions, slurry mixes, black powder and tracer compositions. Weigh chemicals in milligrams, grams and pounds using a digital scale. Mix Illuminating and Infrared composition using a Simpson mixer. Gauge mix mullers and blades on a Simpson mixer, as well as, gauging and mixing delay and ignition composition on a Hobart mixer. Have trained and assisted others in making Red and Yellow smoke composition which is used to press candles. Weigh and place primers in MK131 and MK132 red flare assembly. Have been trained as a lead Illuminating and Infrared composition press line operator. In addition to operating machines and equipment having several controls and performing several operations include, mix mullers, set-up and operate paint systems, propellant and explosive composition vacuum collection systems, to manufacture, disassemble, or modify a variety of conventional ammunition, munitions, pyrotechnics and explosives. Have assembled, disassembled and reconditioned fixed and semi-fixed ammunition. Assembled and disassembled warheads and similar types of explosive projectiles. Pressed explosives and booster pellets, illumination compositions and ignition pellets. Set up, inspect and gauge critical requirements relating to explosives manufacturing equipment, such as press pressure and dwell time. Use all of the following instruments: measuring instruments including weigh scales, calibrated rulers, tape measures, depth micrometers, vernier calipers, stop watches, ring gages, thread gages, plug gages, pull testers and torque wrenches. Ensured test and measuring equipment such as temperature and humidity chart recorders, thermometers and ovens are calibrated and ready for use. Setup, inspect, operate, troubleshoot, change out tooling and perform daily preventative maintenance on various explosives manufacturing equipment such as computerized systems, presses and mixers. Manufactured pyrotechnic components and sub-assemblies and manufacture and load marine markers, distress signals, submarine signal illuminating markers (SSIM's), illuminating mortar rounds, tracking flares, igniter's and similar types of pyrotechnic items. Magneform components to insure a moisture lock seal, as well as, place components in a tank of water to perform a water leak test. Mill, dry, screen, blend and weigh nitrates, chlorate's, dyes and magnesium. Formulate, mix, load and finish pyrotechnic compositions with little or no supervision. Operate mechanical and hydraulic presses to manufacture explosive items to press out small explosive or propellant shapes and to press explosive increments into shell casings. Change out tooling such as broken punches and ram tips, conduct basic troubleshooting and perform limited prescribed preventative maintenance daily. Operate hydraulic presses to press explosive increments into projectiles/warheads. Operate equipment to fuse, defuse and demilitarize projectiles. Assembled explosive components in proper sequence. Removed burster charges from projectiles and warheads by using a mixture of steam and water and/or by drilling. Operate automatic equipment such as buffers, paint sprayers, crimper's and perform a number of assemble/disassemble operations in production or modification of conventional munitions. Provide exterior maintenance of cartridge tanks, ammunition component boxes, smokeless powder tanks/cans and pallets. Remove excess material from propelling charges.

Use all Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) as required, as well as, follow Standard Operating Procedures (SOP's), Quality Control Instructions (QCI's), Hazard Communication (HAZCOM) and Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) and safety and environmental procedures for work with ammunition, munitions and explosives to carry out explosives operations without need for supervisory review of work product, other than spot-check for quality control requirements and am able to apply oral instructions, sketches and specifications to carry out new or changed work assignments, using supervisor's explanation in general terms of expected changes to established procedures. Trained to recognize improper functioning of machines to prevent damage to machines or products. Able to recognize proper appearance of items after completion in order to check by visual, measured and/or gauge inspection that machine functioned properly. Use delicate scales and work to close tolerances in shaping, drilling, pressing and casting explosives. Have ability to do any type of work without more than normal supervision. Have knowledge to operate and assemble equipment safely. Have ability to interpret instructions and specifications. Have sufficient knowledge to set up more basic equipment. After familiarization with the assignment, work output is not ordinarily reviewed except as part of the overall quality control procedure. Perform work assignments requiring exercise of judgment on how much to adjust controls or when to start another stage of the operation. Quite often called upon to setup and test ammunition, munitions and explosive processing machines when establishing or changing production lines to prepare for different types of work. This is done under the general direction of my supervisor, engineer/technician or other higher grade employees. Responsible for knowing and observing all safety and environmental precautions related to handling and manufacturing ammunition, munitions and explosives such as processing explosive contaminated water, hazardous waste control, static electricity sensitivity, energetic material accumulation and personal protective equipment. Use knowledge and experience to make improvement recommendations and safety considerations. Strive, on a daily basis, to support continuous improvement activities to improve efficiency and effectiveness of operations. Regularly operate one or a few semiautomatic machines and equipment and perform a number of more complex assembly, disassembly, maintenance or renovation operations of pyrotechnics and explosive items such as final assemblies, sub-assemblies, component parts and energetic/non-energetic fill material of mortar, pyrotechnic illumination candles, decoy flares and warheads. Able to change tooling such as jigs, dies or ram tips. Make minor adjustments to machine controls and perform other related operations to safely produce reliable products or safely demilitarize and or destroy ammunition. When operating explosives or energetic composition mixers, I correlate factors such as elapsed mixing time, visual indications of material texture, color and/or viscosity to judge when conditions specified in standard operating procedures have been matched and then perform required adjustments such as adding solvent or changing mixing speed. Digitally weigh such chemicals as magnesium, silicon, hexamine, potassium nitrate, barium nitrate, sodium nitrate, tetranitrocarbozole (TNC), boron, epon, red dye, yellow dye, potassium perchlorate, strontium nitrate, asphaltum, poly vinyl chloride, tungsten, black powder, breakdown A1A and F33B gasless ignitions, epicure and epon binder solutions. Mix composition used to press 155MM delays, 60MM, 81MM, 105MM, 120MM and 155MM Mortar rounds. Perform a variety of repetitive and manual tasks involving manufacture, loading, assembly, rework, modification and repair of all types of ammunition (projectiles, warheads, etc.) and pyrotechnic items such as flares, signals, markers, impulse cartridges and igniter's. Assist other explosive operators in performing operations such as weighing increments, pressing, drilling, painting, fusing, gauging and palletizing of explosive loaded projectiles, as well as, batching, marking and packaging of explosive filled munitions. Have re-palletized ammunition and components from light pallets and boxes for lot consolidation and assured that light boxes are painted, and properly identified and light pallets are properly marked. On a daily basis, assisted Production Controller in preparing itemized lists of ammunition, components and details receive for shipment, including weights, cube, lots and quantities of material and proper breakdown, as well as, identifying material incorrectly labeled. Have good knowledge of MIL-STD-129 (Marking for Shipment and Storage) such as stenciling, banding, palletization, labeling, etc. Assure bar code labels are correct and properly placed on all ammunition and components shipped IAW MIL-STD 129. Perform visual inspections of ammunition and components held in storage prior to shipment or issue of material. Assure that items specified on shipping documents are correctly identified and free from surface defects or deteriorations as rust, cracks or improper markings and also determine if containers or packaging material is adequate and in good condition. Have assisted production supervisor, general foreman and/ or engineer personnel in setting up production lines, as well as, specific operations concerning production. Have also assisted Industrial Engineering Techs in providing input to the development of Standard Operating Procedures (SOP's) for explosives production. Have also worked with hazardous waste management to ensure proper handling of hazardous waste is done in accordance with proper environmental regulations, as well as, maintaining records of hazardous waste generated from explosive munitions. Assisted production controller in computing amounts of explosives and/or chemicals needed to perform specific operations, as well as, using computer programs to produce MII production reports. Maintain daily balance of production to ensure proper accountability. Am considered an expert in performing all tasks previously mentioned. Am consulted by other journey persons in difficult situations or called on to do unusually difficult jobs. Apply good working knowledge of most machines used in explosives operations and have been trained to make adjustments to machine controls to assure quality products. Am able to perform most difficult and complex Explosive Operator tasks including ability to lead or supervise other explosive operators in assigning work orders to team members and monitoring completion of assignments. Because of my ability to work with dexterity and safety, have been placed in charge, to lead explosive operators in such jobs as M485 and M825 Delay programs. In absence of supervisor, pass on instructions from supervisor to other operators. Make sure that each operator knows and understands Standard Operating Procedures (SOP's) for particular jobs running. Frequently conduct safety meetings with team members to promote a safe work environment. Then demonstrate proper work methods such as handling, adjusting and operating specific equipment (e.g., hydraulic presses, automatic/semi-automatic loading and assemble machines and semi-automatic machines with several controls) before beginning daily work. Ensure that any needed materials and tools are suitable for explosive use, within specification prior to running a job and available and that any additional material or chemicals are obtained from designated supply locations. Assure bulk explosives have been certified serviceable. Often work along with other operators to set the pace performing non-supervisory work of the same kind and level as that of operators that I lead. Ensure operators are using calibrated measuring instruments correctly to meet quality specifications. Have trained operators on use of weigh scales to ensure appropriate amounts of material are used in the manufacturing of the final product. Manage that there is enough work to keep everyone in their work teams busy. Quite often check work in progress and when work is completed, make certain it is in compliance with supervisor's instructions on work sequence, procedures, methods and deadlines. Talk to and advise other operators to follow supervisor's instructions and to meet deadlines. Answer operator's questions and concerns regarding procedures, policies, written instructions and any other directives. Periodically report all information to supervisor on status and progress of the job, causes of delays, ways to increase production rates and overall work operations and problems. Also ensure that all tools and machines are properly used. During shift, assure that all safety and housekeeping rules are followed in accordance with Standard Operating Procedures, as well as proper Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). Have used Microsoft Word Excel and other computer programs to account for time charged to various charge numbers for each employee using automated time and attendance program sheets or spreadsheets. Have worked with production supervisor, general foreman and/ or engineer in scheduling overtime work.

Have assisted in planning and preparation of many work operations by ensuring required tooling is available and catalogued that grounding has been checked. Daily review operations and prepare work assignments for subordinates. Ensure necessary number of components needed are available and in quantities that will support the production rate, as well as, assignment of personnel to fill out and balance production lines due to leave, physicals, training, etc. Have coordinated work efforts with other supervisors and/or leaders to facilitate the scheduling process. Have conducted many safety and hazard briefings, handling explosives during course of training, assigning and instructing operators on assignments, observing entire operations and dealing with problems as arise. Work with Planners and Estimators, as well as assistant Planners and Estimators to coordinate deliveries of components. Continuously train operators and provide opportunities for cross-training within work unit and oversee training safety. Have set performance requirements and provided informal performance appraisals and have taken informal corrective actions on any conduct and/or performance problems employees might have. Have supervised areas of assembling of explosive munitions, demilitarization and renovation requiring knowledge to deal with any situations that might occur when dealing with hazardous waste. Maintain records on hazardous waste generated and inspection records of hazardous waste storage sites using a Hazardous Waste Management logbook and Air Emissions logbook.