The key to storage is an orderly and logical placement of equipment and
supplies. The old cliche “a place for everything and everything in its place”
is a good guideline for storage of ecclesiastical items. It is recommended that
a list be made giving the location of each item and that a standard label
maker be used to indicate the placement of all ecclesiastical equipment
charged to your care. If ecclesiastical equipment is returned to its proper
place after use, the items will always be available and inventories and
inspections will proceed quickly and smoothly. Special handling, storage,
and security should be effected for high value items and items which have
very special religious significance (consecrated items, etc.). As a result of
wear and breakage, it will sometimes be necessary to procure replacement or
additional ecclesiastical supplies and equipment. These areas are discussed in
the following paragraphs.
Procurement of Ecclesiastical Equipment and Supplies
As a Religious Program Specialist, responsible for worship support
functions within a Command Religious Program, you must be able to
procure items of ecclesiastical equipment and supplies required by your
chaplains for divine services. You must also identify ecclesiastical items
which may require replacement due to wear or breakage and order replace-
ment items when instructed to do so. Although supply functions are covered
in detail in RP Module II, Logistic Support and Financial Control, brief
mention must be made of the references which you will find most useful in
procuring necessary items of ecclesiastical, liturgical, and field equipment.
U.S. NAVY CHAPLAINS PROGRAM SUPPORT GUIDE (NAV-
PERS 15992).–Although not a supply publication, the U.S. Navy
Chaplains Program Support Guide (NAVPERS 15992) (see figure 3-64)
contains information of interest to both the command chaplain and the RP
performing worship support functions. The majority of ecclesiastical and
liturgical supplies and equipment used for divine services are listed in
this publication under Federal Supply Classification (FSC) 9925. The
FSC lists ecclesiastical equipment, furnishings, and supplies, such as
vestments; altars; communion sets; ecclesiastical candelabra; chalices;
patens; altar cloths; ecclesiastical statuary; sacramental wine; and other
items which are required to support a Command Religious Program. You
must remember, though, that the “Program Support Guide” is only a ready
reference rather than an up-to-date supply publication. Supply information
changes rapidly; therefore, you should consult the supply section prior to
filling out a MILSTRIP requisition form. To procure ecclesiastical equip-
ment when assigned to fleet marine force units, you should refer to Marine
Corps Order (MCO) 4400.154.
CIVILIAN ECCLESIASTICAL SUPPLY CATALOGS.—These
catalogs, which provide a comprehensive list of church goods, vestments,
and articles of devotion, are published by private commercial firms special-
izing in these types of articles. However, items ordered from these firms will
normally be more expensive than the same articles which are earned in the
Federal Supply Classification System. Therefore, necessary ecclesiastical
items should be ordered through the Federal Supply Classification System
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