The Chaplain's Specialist-Specialist (W)

customs of various foreign countries, so that proper respect can be paid. Chaplains need to be informed concerning local religious beliefs and value systems in order to perform this collateral duty. The RP may be tasked by the chaplain to research the religious beliefs of a particular country to determine what steps should be taken to show the country and its citizens the proper respect. HISTORY OF THE RELIGIOUS PROGRAM SPECIALIST (RP) RATING The concept of chaplain’s assistant dates back to 1878 when a committee of chaplains recom- mended to the Navy Department that a chaplain’s assistant be assigned to each ship that had a chaplain assigned. This assistant would have been a schoolmaster who could play the organ and lead singing. Although the recommendation was not adopted, the idea was given support by successive generations of chaplains. THE CHAPLAIN’S SPECIALIST— SPECIALIST (W) Early in 1942 the Navy Department took the first steps which led to the establishment of the Specialist (W) rating for chaplain’s assistant. The (W) referred to welfare and it was decided that this rating would be established only for the dura- tion of World War II. The first officially designated chaplain’s assistant in the history of the Navy was W. Everett Hendricks. He was authorized to enlist on 23 April 1942 with the rate of Specialist (W) first class. Hendricks was assigned to duty in the chaplain’s office of the Naval Training Station, Great Lakes, Illinois. He was a talented musician and choir leader and had much to do with the success of the famed Great Lakes’ Bluejacket Choir. The first publicity that was given to the new rating by the Bureau of Naval Personnel (now Naval Military Personnel Command) actually appeared in a directive dated 25 June 1942 addressed to the Navy Recruiting Service. Eleven specialist ratings were identified in this directive, including Welfare or Chaplain’s Assistant. Those interested in Specialist (W) were directed to obtain information regarding specific qualifica- tions from the Chief of Chaplains. This directive was followed by a circular that outlined the required qualifications for Specialist (W). The circular was prepared and distributed by the chaplains division. A college education was identified as being desirable but not absolutely necessary for applicants. Every Specialist (W) had to be able to play the piano and organ for religious services and other gatherings. Also, the Specialist (W) was expected to be a competent choir director. Just as RPs today cannot exercise any of the ministerial functions of a member of the clergy, a Specialist (W) was not expected to serve as a religious leader. The circular stated specifically that the specialist should be willing to serve anywhere and under any conditions. Applicants under 25 years of age who were accepted were given a third class rate; those between 25 and 28 were given a second class rate; and those over 28 were given a first class rate. Those personnel who enlisted directly into the rating were sent to a training station for naval indoctrination before being assigned duties with a chaplain. The Bureau of Naval Personnel ruled that Specialists (W) could not serve aboard ship. It was decided that they would be used only within the limits of the continental United States and at selected overseas bases. RPs today are afforded a greater variety of duty assignments, including serving aboard numerous types of naval vessels. The possibility of having Specialists (W) assigned throughout the Naval Shore Establish- ment was greeted with enthusiasm by Navy chaplains. Because of the constant transfer of personnel, chaplains had found it extremely difficult to maintain qualified musicians at their commands. The assignment of Specialists (W) helped to solve this problem, and chaplains throughout the Navy hastened to help qualified applicants become Specialists (W). SELECTION AND TRAINING OF SPECIALIST (W) Most of the applicants for Specialist (W) had backgrounds as music teachers, professional musicians, or as church ministers-of-music. Many were also graduates of the leading schools of music in the country. Initially, these specialists received their training directly from the chaplains; however, this system proved to be inadequate. In the fall of 1942, as part of an experiment, Specialists (W) started attending some of the classes at the chaplains’ school located at Norfolk, Virginia. This experiment was so successful that the chaplains’ division decided to 1-6