CHAPTER 6
REGULATION OF RELIGIOUS PROGRAMMING
As you have already read in the introduction, the
duties of the Religious Program Specialists (RPs) are
varied. The basic philosophy behind an RP’s tasks is to
prepare for and facilitate the ministry of the chaplains in
a command religious program (CRP). As you have
already learned, the RPs are not clergy nor are they
permitted to perform functions reserved for the clergy
or act as lay readers.
The RP rating is designed to
support the chaplains and the functions of the CRPs to
meet the needs of sea service personnel of all faith
groups. Although RPs are combatants, most of the RPs’
tasks are clerical in nature. As an RP, you will discover
that most of your duties will be concerned with religious
programming. Consequently, you will most likely
perform most of your duties in an office setting,
The information in this chapter is intended to
provide you with an overview of your basic duties and
responsibilities for the regulation of religious
programming. In this chapter, we will stress your
responsibilities in the areas of administration and
logistics, including the office environment, computer
equipment and systems, communications, information
security, and the procurement, organization, and use of
required equipment, services, and supplies. After
studying the information in this chapter, you should
have a basic understanding of your duties in these
important areas.
OFFICE OF THE CHAPLAIN
In chapter 2, you read about the importance of the
office setting for persons seeking pastoral care and
counseling. In this chapter, we will continue to stress
the lasting impression on visitors that the religious
ministry facility (RMF) presents and its impact upon the
CRP. An office atmosphere is the product of both
mental and physical factors. Mental factors involve
morale and getting along with co-workers, whereas
physical factors concern the general appearance of the
office. In your duties for religious programming, you
must deal with both of these factors.
Throughout your career, you will perform many of
your duties in an office setting. You may be assigned to
a small office where you are the person in charge, or to
a large one where you are one of several persons under
the supervision of a more senior petty officer. In this
chapter, we will give you some pointers on the physical
arrangement of your office, some methods you can use
to enhance performance of your procedures, and your
responsibilities for maintaining the appropriate
environment in the office of the chaplain. We will
discuss your role in the following areas:
General appearance and arrangement of office
space
Proper method of storing materials
Use and maintenance of office equipment
Office procedures for personnel assigned to the
CRP
Privileged communication
Information security program
In reading the information in the following sections,
keep in mind how the appearance and atmosphere of the
office of the chaplain can make a lasting impression on
the individuals who visit it. Pay special attention to the
ways in which you, the RP, can play a central role in
making sure your office spaces, whether afloat or
ashore, support your CRP in the best possible way.
GENERAL APPEARANCE AND
ARRANGEMENT OF OFFICE SPACES
As an RP, you will discover that the amount of
control you have over the actual conditions in the office
of the chaplain will vary with the location and the type
of duty to which you are assigned. You must realize that
there will be some conditions outside of your control
that may determine the kind of office in which you will
work and the types of equipment you will use.
Regardless of the size or type of office, however, you
will normally be responsible for maintaining the
appearance of the spaces used in support of the CRP. In
the following paragraphs, we will talk about some of the
things over which you will have a certain level of
control, starting with your desk.
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