Chaplains engage in religious ministry and compassionate pastoral care to enhance the lives of Sailors, Marines and Coast Guardsmen. Religious program specialists (RP) manage command religious programs for chaplains.

Together chaplains and RPs form religious ministry teams that provide for the free exercise of religion in the Navy.

To manage day-to-day operations, RPs now have a career roadmap, a step-by-step guide that's designed to aid in making meaningful career decisions. It's the RP Guide to a Career in the U.S. Navy (Oct. 2017).

"Learning how to advance as an RP is a consistent form of education," said Master Chief Religious Programs Specialist Eddie Walker III, RP senior enlisted leader.

It takes commitment and dedication to climb that career ladder, said Walker. "It's more than just studying for an exam."

Chaplains also have a responsibility to evaluate and guide the careers of RPs.

"The RP rate is fairly young, and a small community competing against larger rates such as corpsman or IT (information systems technicians)," added Walker.

Whether joining the ranks of RPs through accession or conversion, the guide is a tool that can shape the vision for current and future recruits.

"I knew I was going to serve when I was eleven years old," said Religious Programs Specialist 1st Class David Okula, who joined the Navy in December 2012 after graduating college.

"Growing up during the period of the global war on terror, I had a variety of options and chose the RP rate where I can serve and help all kinds of people," said Okula. "With the new guide, I trust all RPs will feel empowered to making decisions with confidence."

RPs are Sailors first and from day one are navigators of their career.

"What's unique about the guide is that everything a RP needs to know is in one place," said Walker.

The training guide project began more than a year ago with support and collaboration from the RP leadership mess, and complements the Navy's Sailor 2025 ready, relevant learning initiatives.

To learn more about the religious program specialist rating visit:

Americas Navy Recruiting website.

Religious Program Specialist Facebook Page.

Navy Chief of Chaplains Facebook.

Navy Chaplain Corps webpage.

Navy Chaplain Corps Twitter and Instagram.

For more information, visit www.navy.mil, www.facebook.com/usnavy, or www.twitter.com/usnavy.