Religious Program Specialists

in obtaining such musicial talent as might be found in their respective units. Such assistance often had to be obtained from outside sources. The Navy Department inaugurated a new rating structure on 1 April 1948. Among the new general service ratings that were established was the rating of’ “Personnel Men.” Members of this rating were assigned personnel administration duties in various offices including the chaplain’s office. Personnel of this rating who had a job classification as chaplain’s assistant could be assigned duty with chaplains. YEOMAN CHAPLAIN’S PROFESSIONAL ASSISTANT (YN-252S) Until 1979, personnel of the Yeoman rating were often designated as the “Chaplain’s Clerk (YN-2525)” to assist the chaplain in conducting the Command Religious Program. Figure II-1-6 describes the duties of the YN-2525 Chaplain’s Professional Assistant designation. Chaplains had to justify the need for a YN-2525 billet before a Yeoman would normally 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 per- sonnel. Often unqualified personnel (those lack- ing 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, those with the YN-2525 designation and those without this designation, performed admirably under difficult cir- cumstances. However, the pursuit of a perma- nent rating to assist the chaplain in managing the Command 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 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 re- questing lateral conversion from one rate to the RP rating had to be interviewed and recom- mended by a Navy chaplain. After the chaplain recommended an individual for the RP rating, the commanding officer also had to recommend the applicant. Personnel requesting conversion to RP had to be a high school graduate or have a GED equivalent; be eligible for access to classified information; demonstrate support of the Navy’s equal opportunity program; 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 persons of all faith groups. These requirements have not changed since the establishment of the rate. It is obvious that a person must be trustworthy, dedicated, and quite conscientious in order to serve as a Religious Program Specialist. 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 II-1-6.—Description of Duties for Chaplain’s Professional Assistant (YN-2525). 1-11