RELIGIOUS PROGRAM SPECIALISTS

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. 1-7