CHAPTER 1
THE RELIGIOUS PROGRAM SPECIALIST
The Religious Program Specialist (RP) rating
was established on 15 January 1979. This rating
is designed to provide Navy chaplains with pro-
fessional support personnel who are skilled in
religious programming and administration.
Approximately two-thirds of the tasks RPs are
trained to perform are in the area of religious
programming. The remaining tasks are of a
clerical nature. Figure 1-1 lists the primary duties
the leading RP will perform.
THE CHAPLAIN CORPS
The term “chaplain” comes to us from a
French legend. According to the legend, Saint
Martin of Tours split his cloak in half and shared
it with a beggar on a wintry day at the gates of
Amiens, France. The cloak was preserved because
it was believed to have been shared with Christ,
and it became the sacred banner of French kings.
The officer tasked with the care of the cloak and
Figure 1-1.—Primary duties of the leading Religious Program Specialist.
1-1
