Real life Navy RP, religious program specialist. can you give me informations on that kind of rating?

Question

I've researched it and saw it might be a good rating for me because it involves religion (I was raised in a religious family and I give no biased thinking about other religions. For me, religions are a guide through life.)

But I read about this CREST program where you'll have to train as a marine.

But, my question is....

Could you not take the CREST program and be able to have firearm or defending equipments? (afterall, they are bodyguards to chaplains right?)

I'm fine with defending and bodyguarding and training with the marines but I want to know how dangerous the job is? afterall, you will not train with the marines just so that you could sit down on the church and wait for the chaplain?

Because I also read that you may not see any sea duties but a combat field and you may have to kill?

How many navy religious program specialist died already?

Are you really gonna look like a target when you're beside a chaplain that's on combat? especially in Iraq?

How would you rate the danger level of this rating than any other ratings like MA or GM?

If it really is dangerous... why is it that this rating (according to the extent of my research) is one of the most non-taken and underestimated rating?

aren't they supposed to be cool because they trained with the marines/infantry?

I've done my research, now I need a real life navy RP to fill me in with real life informations if I may.

God bless you all and come home safe heroes.

Answer 1

Here are some official Navy documents, these are what they give you at the Navy Liaison at MEPS.

http://extensis.cnrc.navy.mil/factsheets...

http://extensis.cnrc.navy.mil/factsheets...

Also if you want a true Navy answer, head on over to http://www.mynavyonline.com Im KJC88 there we can help out a lot more than these Yahooians can. We can help with all sorts of questions, from money wise, from description, from boot camp, etc.

Join us.

God Bless.

Good luck !

Answer 2

There has been no one in the RP rating who has been a combat casualty in Iraq or Afghanistan. The folks in the RP rating work as assistants to Chaplain Corps Officers. They help out in setting up equipment for various religious rites, other office work and any other assistance the Chaplain might need. The closest equivalent in a civilian clerical setting would be the position of "Shamus" in a Jewish synagogue or temple.

I'm not familiar with the CREST program, because the RP rating started after I retired from the Navy. My local pastor at my Catholic church was an RP in the Navy before entering the priesthood. But, that program sounds like the course that Hospital Corpsmen and other medical personnel go through before they are assigned to Fleet Marine Force units. As far as carrying weapons, I can't recall ever seeing a Chaplain packing heat during my eight years of service with FMF units.  

Answer 3

I am not one either, but I agree with Yak and I have friends that are. Some RPs go with the Marines and even receive FMF, Fleet Marine Force pins for it. Look at your interests before making a final decision. You may have an actual interest in another career field.

Answer 4

RP's (I was not one.) are, more or less, the administrative secretary for a Chaplain.  They also prepare the chapel, or other designated area, for services and keep this area clean.

It's not a bad rate, but it's not anything I'd be interested in at all.

I have not seen a single instance of one being KIA or WIA in Iraq or Afghanistan.