be  required  to  bear  arms  during  a  watch.  Since male  RPs  are  combatants,  those  assigned  duty with   Marine   Corps   units   will   be   required   to qualify   in   the   handling   of   small   arms   and ammunition as their Marine Corps commanders may direct. RPs assigned to Marine Corps Fleet Marine  Force  (FMF)  units  may  be  required  to undergo  combat  training. SCHOOLING  OF ASSIGNED  PERSONNEL When RPs in paygrades E-5 through E-9 are transferred  on  PCS  orders,  they  are  often  assigned an intermediate duty station for training before reporting  to  their  ultimate  duty  station.  Some examples  of  intermediate  training  are  RP  C school,  Leadership  and  Management  Education and Training (LMET), Maintenance and Material Management (3-M) Supervisor’s Course, and Fire Fighting.  Funding  for  such  training  is  provided by Naval Military Personnel Command (NMPC). Occasionally,  the  needs  of  the  gaining  com- mand  are  such  that  personnel  must  report  aboard immediately.    Should  such  a  situation  arise, provisions for necessary training should be made as  soon  as  command  operations  permit. Training requirements for assigned personnel should be projected far in advance and should be included as long-range budget items. Funding for training  is  usually  difficult  to  arrange  after  the fiscal budget goes into effect on 1 October. Such cost  items  as  travel  and  per  diem  should  be calculated as closely as possible. The disbursing officer  can  provide  guidance  in  this  area. TRAINING/ORIENTATION OF OTHER SERVICE VETERANS (OSVETS) Since the establishment of the RP rating, many Marine   Corps   personnel   have   been   granted permission by the Secretary of the Navy to make an  interservice  transfer  to  the  Navy  to  serve as   RPs.   There   are   no   provisions   for   enlisted personnel  in  other  branches  of  service  to  effect a transfer to the Navy without completing their current  enlistment.  Additionally,  all  other  Navy enlistment  requirements  must  be  met  by  other service  veterans  (OSVETs). Marine  Corps  personnel  who  are  permitted to   transfer   to   the   Navy   are   discharged   from the  Marine  Corps  for  the  convenience  of  the government.     Such  personnel  must  obligate themselves to serve not less than 24 months in the Navy. OSVETs   are   initially   assigned   to   a   naval training   center   to   receive   naval   orientation training.  Following  the  orientation  period,  they may  be  assigned  to  RP  A  or  C  school,  as appropriate.  If  OSVETs  are  not  assigned  to  RP schools,  they  may  be  assigned  to  a  Navy  duty station.  Those  assigned  to  RP  A  school  will  be assigned to their ultimate duty station near the end  of  the  schooling  period. RECEIVING  OSVETS  ABOARD Although  the  period  of  naval  orientation  is most   helpful   to   the   OSVET,   it   should   be remembered   that   full   orientation   as   to   Navy procedures will take some time. OSVETS will have to  adapt  to  a  different  military  environment. Whenever commands are notified that an OSVET is   to   report   aboard   for   duty,   the   following preparations  should  be  made. · The leading RP should work closely with the  command  personnel  officer  to  ensure  that orders,  housing  applications,  paygrade,  accrued leave, and all other facets of the personnel transfer are  in  order. · The command disbursing officer should be contacted to ensure that a pay record is established and that provisions are made to facilitate full pay and  allowances  for  the  OSVET. · Office   space   should   be   arranged   for newly  reporting  personnel. · Any other action that would help to effect a  smooth  interservice  transfer  of  the  OSVET should  be  accomplished.  Every  effort  should  be made to take advantage of the past experience of the OSVETS. RELIGIOUS  PROGRAM SPECIALISTS  ASSIGNED  TO MARINE  CORPS  UNITS Navy RPs are often assigned to Marine Corps bases, air stations, or Fleet Marine Force (FMF) units and may not be familiar with procedures at these duty stations. All male RPs are eligible for duty with Fleet Marine  Force  (FMF)  units  and  Marine  Corps garrisons. They must sign a  Page 13 statement  in 6-2