CHAPTER 6
EDUCATION AND TRAINING
A need for the education and training
of personnel is paramount in today's Navy.
Millions of dollars are allocated each year
for this purpose. In some of the more tech-
nical Navy ratings, such as electronics, data
processing, or nuclear power, the education
price tag may approach 0,000 per student.
In some of the less technical fields, such
as administration or supply, there is less expense,
but education costs are still high, and they
are getting higher very day. Nevertheless,
we must continue to educate and train Navy
personnel.
The first section of this chapter deals with
the training of subordinates in the various
customs and traditions of major religions. The
RPC and RP1 need training in this area in
order to be able to supervise worhip support
operations.
BASIC CUSTOMS AND
TRADITIONS OF
VARIOUS RELIGIONS
The Command Religious Program is designed
to afford the opportunity for the free exercise of
religion to all command personnel and their
familiies. Many religious groups, whose members
embrace a variety of customs and traditions, may
be involved. Information concerning these various
customs and traditions must be made available
to assigned Religious Program Specialists (RPs),
This will assist them in providing effective
worship support.
Chapter 2 of RP 3 & 2, module I, Personnel
Support, NAVEDTRA 287-01-45-82, provides
information concerning basic customs and tradi-
tions of various religions. Also, Navy chaplains
and selected cvilian clergy are excellent sources
of information.
6-1
VOLUNTEER PERSONNEL
PERFORMING LITURGICAL
FUNCTIONS
Assigned personnel and their families may
desire to take an active part in the Command
Religious Program as lay participants. Instructors
are usually needed in the religious education
program. Volunteer workers are often used in
the nursery during worship services. Musical
productions sponsored by the Command Reli-
gious Program may depend on volunteer lay
participation for their success.
Vacation Bible/Church School events and
other programs of outreach or renewal can be
sources of spiritual insight and development, and
normally they require voluntary staff support.
These lay services will benefit the volunteers as
well as enhance the appeal of the Command
Religious Program.
Chaplains and RPs should consider volunteers
as valuable team members and should do their ut-
most to encourage such participation. Lay persons
may be reluctant to offer their assistance and will
need to be asked. Those accepting responsibility
should be supported with adequate information,
materials, and training to accomplish their goals.
Volunteers have a great influence on the success
of the Command Religious Program.
Persons who volunteer to participate in the
Command Religious Program may need training
of some type to function effectively in the capacity
in which they are volunteering their time and
talent. Such training can often be conducted by
chaplains or RPs.
ALIGNMENT OF TRAINING
WITH BILLET AND
COMMAND MISSION
Religious Program Specialists (RPs) may be
assigned a variety of duties requiring special
training. For example, RPs assigned to ships may
