Religious Program Specialist is a designated rating within the United States Navy. As an essential member of Professional Naval Chaplaincy, RPs fulfill a crucial function in administering religious mi
Rating insignia
A religious program specialist (left) during the Iraq War in 2005, armed with a rifle. The RP keeps his eyes peeled for threats while escorting the Navy chaplain. As the Geneva Conventions prohibit chaplains from carrying a firearm, armed religious program specialists act as their de facto bodyguards in the field.
A RP, hands out shoes to students at a school in Djibouti. The World Emergency Relief donated 10,000 pairs. The Camp Lemonnier base chapel, were distributing the shoes to local schools, refugee camps, and churches. As well as sending them with Army Civil Affairs detachments to distribute in other African countries.
A religious program specialist during the Iraq War. When serving in the Fleet Marine Force (FMF), religious program specialists wear the U.S. Marine Corps Combat Utility Uniform (MCCUU) identical to the uniforms worn by their Marine Corps counterparts with the exception of "U.S. Navy" tape and US Navy rank insignias.
Camp Gilbert H. Johnson is a satellite camp of Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune in Jacksonville, North Carolina, and home to the Marine Corps Combat Service Support Schools, where various support milita
Religious program specialist
…the fleet to convert to RP, RPs learn the fundamental knowledge and skills necessary to fulfill their duties upon returning to the fleet. Located at Camp Johnson in Jacksonville, North Carolina, this 8-week course is designed for RPs who have received orders to USMC units- referred to as Fleet Marine Force (FMF…
Sgt Maj Gilbert "Hashmark" Johnson
Inside cover of the 1943 Montford Point base annual.