YN-2525 DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES
YN-2525 Chaplain’s Professional Assistant
Assists Chaplain by promoting the religious program and performing administrative duties.
Prepares correspondence, requisitions, purchase orders, reports, and religious documents. Main-
tains material, fund, and interview records. Publishes schedules of services and programs.
Schedules chaplain appointments and keeps log of events. Operates office and audiovisual equip-
ment. Protects privileged communications. Maintains chapel equipment and supplies. Supervises
rigging according to designed liturgical practice.
Follows the liturgical calendar and uses ec-
clesiastical titles and terms.
Figure 1-5.—Description of duties for chaplain’s professional assistant (YN-2525).
Many of the individuals who worked in the
office of the chaplain, those with the YN-2525
designation and those without this designation,
performed admirably under difficult cir-
cumstances. However, the pursuit of a permanent
rating to assist chaplains in managing the Com-
mand Religious Program remained a primary goal
of the Chief of Chaplains.
RELIGIOUS PROGRAM
SPECIALISTS
The 101-year quest for a permanent chaplain’s
assistant rating was successfully completed effec-
tive 15 January 1979 with the establishment of the
Religious Program Specialist (RP) rating.
Stringent selection requirements were set and per-
sonnel requesting lateral conversion from other
rates to the RP rating had to be interviewed and
recommended by a Navy chaplain. Also, com-
manding officers had to recommend prospective
candidates based on a number of factors including
the chaplain’s endorsement. Personnel requesting
lateral conversion to RP had to be high school
graduates or have a GED equivalent; be eligible
for access to classified information; demonstrate
support for the Navy’s equal opportunity pro-
gram; have no speech impediments and have
demonstrated the ability to write effectively; have
no conviction in civilian or military court within
the past 3 years; and be willing to support per-
sons of all faith groups or religious categories.
These requirements have not changed since the
establishment of the RP rating. Based on the
stringent selection requirements, it is obvious that
a person must be trustworthy, dedicated, and con-
scientious in order to perform effectively as a
Religious Program Specialist.
On 9 May 1979 the Chief of Naval Operations
approved the RP rating insignia which is shown
in figure 1-6. It consists of a compass, globe, and
an anchor. The compass suggests the direction
which religion gives to life; the globe symbolizes
the fact that religious ministries are available
Figure 1-6.—Religious Program Specialist rating insignia.
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