Shoptalk
Disclosure
Shoptalk, or jargon, defines language or slang that
is peculiar to a particular trade or profession. RPs, like
chaplains, should be cautious when using language that
may not be understood by those outside the CRP. For
example, when using the term command religious
program or CRP, emphasize the command nature of
religious programming. Use command chaplain when
referring to the designated director of the Office of the
Chaplain. Use senior chaplain when referring to a
chaplain’s rank in relation to other chaplains. Use
liturgy when referring to worship, and so on.
In nearly all instances, chaplains may be addressed
by the term chaplain.
RPs may refer to assigned
chaplains by the term chaplain, regardless of rank or
faith group, since this term is common to all faith groups
and expresses the identity of clergy within the military
community. Use of terms common within a particular
faith group such as father, pastor, or rabbi may also be
used when appropriate. The bottom line is—how
seniors are to be addressed is their prerogative.
When identifying various parts of the religious
ministries facility (RMF vice chapel) or the
ecclesiastical nomenclature of religious articles, always
use the proper term. For example, in shoptalk you
would speak of the apse, baptistery, choir gallery,
narthex, nave, quiet room, sacristy, sanctuary, and vestry
as you would use terms in any other technical field. Two
other tools useful in learning shoptalk are the Naval
Terms Dictionary by Noel and Beach, and the
Dictionary of Naval Abbreviations by Wedcrtz, both
published by Naval Institute Press, Annapolis,
Maryland.
For any RP to know everything about all faith
groups is virtually futile. For you, as an RP, to grasp this
thought is most critical to the success of religious
programming within the Navy and Marine Corps. In
support of this concept, it is not the intent of this training
manual to make RPs into walking encyclopedias of
religious facts, nor to provide a detailed analysis of all
the faith groups.
Both RPs and chaplains must have timely, pertinent,
and open disclosure concerning expectations, desires,
and practices in the area of the chaplain’s faith group.
This disclosure must take place frequently, either in
one-to-one training or group sessions. The RP must
make sure the planning, diagraming, coordinating,
and starting of this type of training takes place.
Remember, opportunities for learning about how to
establish and maintain open communication either
through on-the-job training for the individual RP or
through onboard training for groups of RPs are as
important as military schools, training manuals, and
non-RP training sources.
SUMMARY
This introduction has provided basic information on
the history, standards, duties and responsibilities, and
military structure of the RP rating environment as well
as the nature of the RP/chaplain relationship. You must
understand the basic principles of your rating. You must
also understand your position within the structure of the
U.S. Navy or the U.S. Marine Corps before proceeding
to the following chapter on the technical aspects of your
rating.
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