School was then moved back to its original location Meridian, Mississippi at NCSC so that RPs and Chaplains would be able to train with each other. The move to an Army base was intended to make for a more seamless integration of the field training Chaplains and RPs can expect when assigned with Marines and Army units. "C" School After “A” school RP's are sent to Camp Johnson for 8 weeks where they will receive Marine Combat Skills and basic field medical training. Training for the Fleet Marine Force (FMF) familiarizes navy RP's with the Marines. A bond and mutual respect is often formed between Marines and their assigned religious program specialist, earning respect apart from their Navy shipmates. FMF Religious Program Specialist are issued the Marine Corps service uniforms and camouflage uniforms (MARPAT) while assigned to the Marine Corps and also have the option to go Marine Corps Regulations. History The idea of having a chaplain's specialist assigned to each ship with a chaplain aboard dates from 1878. That year a committee of chaplains first made the recommendation to the Navy Department. Although the Navy Department did not immediately adopt the recommendation, successive generations of chaplains gave their support to the idea. (belsielat gerunda 2019) Specialist "W" Finally, from 1942 to 1945, the Navy adopted the Specialist “W” rating (the “W” stood for Welfare) to address the specific wartime needs of Chaplains serving in World War II. Specialist "W"s were at that time required to: Perform clerical duties; play piano and organ for worship services; be competent musical directors; not expected to serve as religious leaders (just as it is today for RPs); and be willing to serve anywhere under any conditions. WAVES Women also distinguished themselves as Specialists (W) during the war. Thirty-eight “WAVES” were selected to serve in the rating. Virginia T. Moore was the first woman to be selected as a Specialist (W) and was subsequently assigned duty in November 1943 in the Nation's Capital. The first “WAVES” to attend the Chaplains School in June 1944 were recognized as highly motivated, dedicated, and conscientious students. W. Everett Hendricks The first officially designated Specialist (W) in the history of the Navy was W. Everett Hendricks who was authorized to enlist on 23 April 1942 with the rating of Specialist (W) first class. Hendricks was assigned duty in the Office of the Chaplain at the Naval Training Station,