RELIGIOUS PROGRAM SPECIALISTS

YEOMAN CHAPLAIN’S PROFESSIONAL ASSISTANT (YN-2525) Until 1979, personnel of the Yeoman rating were sometimes designated as the Chaplain’s Clerk (YN-2525). The purpose of the YN-2525 was to assist the chaplain in conducting the Com- mand Religious Program. Figure 1-4 describes the duties of the YN-2525 Chaplain’s Professional Assistant. In most cases, chaplains had to justify the need for a YN-2525 billet before a Yeoman could be assigned to the office of the chaplain. This proved to be a time-consuming process and placed the CRP in direct competition with other command departments for the services of personnel. Often, unqualified personnel (those lacking the YN-2525 designation) were assigned to the office of the chaplain as temporary solutions to manning problems. Many of the individuals who worked in the office of the chaplain, both those with the YN-2525 designation and those without, per- formed admirably under difficult circumstances. However, the pursuit of a permanent rating to assist the chaplain in managing the CRP remained a primary goal of the Chief of Chaplains. RELIGIOUS PROGRAM SPECIALISTS The 101-year quest for a permanent Chaplain’s Assistant rating was finally realized on 15 January 1979 when the Secretary of the Navy approved the establishment of the Religious Program Specialist (RP) rating. Stringent selec- tion requirements were set, and personnel requesting lateral conversion from another rating to the RP rating had to be interviewed and recom- mended by a Navy chaplain. The commanding officer also had to recommend the applicant. An individual requesting conversion to RP had to be a high school graduate or have a GED equivalent; be eligible for access to classified information; have demonstrated support of the Navy’s Equal Opportunity Program; have no speech impedi- ments 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 persons of all faith groups. These requirements have not changed since the establishment of the rating. Obviously, a person must be trustworthy, dedicated, and quite con- scientious in order to serve as a Religious Program Specialist. Two important points should be noted regarding personnel selections for the RP rating: (1) RP personnel are combatants and (2) RPs are limited to performing religious program tasks that do not require ordination or licensing. Even though members of the rating are required to support chaplains and persons of all faith groups, a Religious Program Specialist does not conduct worship services, administer sacraments and ordinances, or function as a pastoral counselor. RPs cannot exercise any of the ministerial functions of a member of the clergy or Navy chaplain. On 9 May 1979, the Chief of Naval Opera- tions approved the RP rating insignia, which is Figure 1-4.–Description of duties for chaplain’s professional assistant (YN-2525). 1-8