Religious Program Specialist	RP
	Religious Program Specialists (RP) serve in support of, and not independently of, chaplains as Religious Ministry Teams (RMT), consisting of at least one chaplain and one RP. RP Program Specialists function in the following areas: Personal and Spiritual Readiness Specialist in meeting needs of Faith groups, Religious Ministry and Accommodation Specialist in support of the Religious Ministry Team (RMT). This rating supports chaplains serving with Navy combat and combat support commands, Seabee battalions, fleet and base hospitals, amphibious units, Joint and Combined Task Forces and the United States Marine Corps.

Religious Program Specialists provide support to Navy Chaplains in developing programs to meet the needs of Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard personnel and their families. RPs perform functions that do not require ordination and they do not do pastoral counseling.

What they do

The duties performed by RPs include:

• supporting chaplains of all faiths and religious activities of the command;

• maintaining records, ecclesiastical documents, and references of various faith groups;

• maintaining liaison with religious and community agencies;

• assisting in preparation of devotional and religious educational materials, and audiovisual displays;

• determining, developing, managing, and maintaining the administrative and logistical support requirements of religious programs aboard ships, shore stations, hospitals, Marine Corps units, and other sea service commands;

• providing physical security for chaplains during field exercises and in combat environments;

• operating and maintaining libraries aboard ships and isolated duty stations;

• performing bookkeeping and accounting functions related to Religious Offerings Fund transactions;

• as custodians, rigging, and unrigging for religious activities;

• publicizing the command’s religious activities;

• training command religious program volunteers on logistics and instruction methods;

• supervising Chaplain’s Office personnel;

• performing administrative, clerical, and secretarial duties;

• stocking and maintaining field mount-out boxes

Qualifications and Interests

People in this rating must possess a valid driver’s license, be able to type 30 words a minute, and understand that their work schedule may require duties to be performed in the evenings and on weekends and holidays.

Applicants should have no speech impediments, be able to express ideas clearly in speaking to others, do detailed work and repetitive tasks, and keep accurate records. Necessary qualities include an interest in people, writing skills, initiative, resourcefulness, and a knowledge of arithmetic.

Religious Program Specialists will be supportive of clergy and people of all faiths, set high standards, and be of good moral character.

Working Environment

RPs work in a variety of environments wherever chaplains are stationed with Navy and Marine Corps personnel.

While most of their work is performed indoors, it may also be performed on the deck of a ship, in the field with Marines, in a combat situation, or in a hospital. Navy Chaplains are noncombatants, but RPs are considered combatant and will receive combat training. RPs protect the chaplain and ensure his or her safety, particularly in combat areas.

Opportunities

About 400 men and women work in the RP rating. Qualified and self-motivated people have a good opportunity for entry into this rating.

Statement of Under-Standing

Volunteers for the Religious Program Specialist (RP) rating do so with the understanding they will be required to be supportive of clergy and people of all faiths. They also understand their eligibility for the program will be reviewed at recruit training during chaplain’s screening interviews. If, during the interviews, they are found ineligible for the RP rating, they will have the following options:

• assignment in alternate training for which they are fully qualified;

• general duty assignment.

(Males only) Applicants understand that in addition to assignment with Navy units, they will be eligible for combat training and assignments to serve as combatants in Marine Corps units.

(Females only) Applicants understand that in addition to assignment with Navy units, they will be eligible for Assignments in Marine Corps units.

Navy RP - Religious Program Manager

RP Program Managers function in the following areas: Chaplain Enlisted Advisor, Personal and Spiritual Readiness Program Manager, Religious Ministry and Accommodations Manager, Religious Ministry Outreach Manager. This rating supports chaplains serving with Navy combat and combat support commands, Seabee battalions, fleet and base hospitals, amphibious units, Joint and Combined Task Forces and the United States Marine Corps.

Navy RP - Religious Program Specialist

Religious Program Specialists (RP) serve in support of, and not independently of, chaplains as Religious Ministry Teams (RMT), consisting of at least one chaplain and one RP. RP Program Specialists function in the following areas: Personal and Spiritual Readiness Specialist in meeting needs of Faith groups, Religious Ministry and Accommodation Specialist in support of the Religious Ministry Team (RMT). This rating supports chaplains serving with Navy combat and combat support commands, Seabee battalions, fleet and base hospitals, amphibious units, Joint and Combined Task Forces and the United States Marine Corps.

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