Control) provide information on the remainder
of the occupational standards for RP3 and RP2
not covered in this module. Occupational
standards comprise the skills that enlisted person-
nel must acquire in order to meet the Navys
requirements for the RP rating. These specific
occupational requirements form the basis for per-
sonnel training and advancement. It is important
to remember that occupational standards establish
the MINIMUM standards representing the
LOWEST level of skill that all personnel must
possess in order to function effectively at a given
rate. Figure 1-2 shows the specific occupational
standards for RP3 and RP2 that will be dis-
cussed in this module.
Rate training manuals are revised period-
ically to conform with official publications,
directives, documents, and instructions on which
they are based. RPs should always refer to the
official sources in the performance of their duties.
Rate training manuals (RTMs) are developed
primarily to help applicants prepare for advance-
ment to the next highest paygrade. However, the
personnel who prepare the fleetwide examinations
for advancement will always use the most recent
material in writing examination questions. This
is one important reason why the RP should stay
completely informed on any changes that occur
in official publications.
To assist personnel in studying for advance-
ment, the Bibliography for Advancement
Examination Study (NAVEDTRA 10052) is
revised and issued each year by the Chief of Naval
Education and Training. Figure 1-3 shows the
front cover of this publication for calendar year
1982. The RP should check with personnel in the
local commands educational services office to en-
sure that the current bibliography is readily
available for use in the Command Religious Pro-
gram (CRP).
This chapter will be devoted to describing the
functions of the Chief of Chaplains and the
Chaplain Corps; the history of the RP rating; RP
skills and knowledge; the CRP ashore, afloat, and
within the Fleet Marine Force (FMF); CRP
jargon; and command organization and the
office of the chaplain. This background informa-
tion is provided to outline the evolution of the
RP rating and to show the important role that the
RP plays in todays Navy.
CHIEF OF CHAPLAINS
Prior to its official establishment by an Act
of Congress on 22 December 1944, the title Chief
of Chaplains had been established by custom
and respect. Since March 1945, the Navy Chaplain
Corps has been headed by a Chief of Chaplains
with the rank of rear admiral. An organizational
change in the Office of the Chief of Naval Opera-
tions occurred in November 1981 whereby the
Office of the Chief of Chaplains was designated
as OP-09G (formerly OP-01H). Specific guidance
concerning this reorganization was provided in
OPNAVNOTE 5430 dated 23 November 1981.
The mission of the Chief of Chaplains as out-
lined in OPNAVNOTE 5430 is shown in figure
1-4.
THE CHAPLAIN CORPS
The purpose of the Navy Chaplain Corps is
to provide professional guidance to the Depart-
ment of the Navy and to promote the spiritual,
religious, moral, and personal well-being of
members of that establishment by providing the
ministries appropriate to their rights and needs.
This may involve providing ministries to
dependents and other authorized individuals. The
chaplains ministries may include conducting
worship services, liturgies, and rites; providing
religious education and pastoral ministries;
organizing spiritual renewal activities; and
participating in humanitarian projects.
Quotas for Navy chaplains are established by
Government authority based upon the overall
national population for the various faith groups.
The right of these groups to establish standards
for their clergy seeking to be commissioned as of-
ficers in the staff corps (Chaplain Corps) is
recognized and supported by the Navy. The Navy
Department will not commission as a chaplain any
member of the clergy who has not received an
ecclesiastical endorsement. In addition to an
ecclesiastical endorsement, a candidate for com-
missioning in the Chaplain Corps must have
completed 3 years or 90 semester hours of
graduate study leading to a Master of Divinity
degree or equivalent. Candidates must also meet
the required age and physical qualifications for
commissioning.
1-3