The Navy Chaplaincy School and Center (NCSC) wrapped up a three-day workshop to update the religious program specialist (RP) rate training manual (RTM) Nov. 16.

Last revised in 2013 and included in the Navy Non-Resident Training Courses (NRTC) Library, the RP RTM, or NAVEDTRA 14227B, serves as a self-study guide for the many tasks an RP may perform in his or her daily work while supporting the Command Religious Program. Topics cover a range of responsibilities, such as administrative duties; knowledge of major religions of the world; worship support functions; expeditionary ministry support; pastoral care support; and chapel weddings and military funerals.

As the project's technical point of contact, Senior Chief Religious Program Specialist Tameca Brown, NCSC command senior chief, led discussions with the participants to review the context and narrative in the manual. They evaluated each chapter's learning objectives, references, text and graphics in detail.

"We are excited to see the product they produce so we can better train and equip our RPs with the best knowledge, skills and abilities to make a difference in the fleet," said Capt. Steven Moses, NCSC commanding officer.

The team consisted of active-duty and civilian subject matter experts, senior RPs from around the fleet, school house staff, and contractors.

"Whether it was getting into the specifics on what it takes to run a library afloat or to even getting into what a wedding should consist of, what we did at this review was to ensure that RPs have in black and white a relevant one-stop shop that tells them how to get things done within their area of responsibility," said Master Chief Religious Program Specialist Rafael Barney.

The new RP rate training manual will be available to Sailors by mid-2018.

Naval Chaplaincy School and Center develops and delivers religious ministry training to achieve fleet readiness. To learn more, visit http://www.netc.navy.mil/centers/chaplain/ and http://www.facebook.com/NavalChaplaincySchoolCenter.

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

For more news from Naval Education and Training Command, visit www.navy.mil/.