Religious program specialist (RP) is a United States Navy rating. Religious program specialists assist naval chaplains in their duties as well as provide support to naval chaplains in developing programs to meet the needs of U.S. Navy sailors, U.S. Marines, and their families. They also act as armed bodyguards for the chaplains (who are largely unarmed). RPs perform functions that do not require ordination and do no pastoral counseling; adherence to a religion is not a requirement or prerequisite to become an RP and some RPs are even atheists. Overview The duties performed by RPs include: supporting chaplains of all faiths and religious activities of the command, maintaining records, accounting, ecclesiastical documents and references of various faith groups, maintaining liaison with religious and community agencies, assisting in preparation of devotional and religious educational materials, and audio-visual displays, determining, developing, managing and maintaining the administrative and logistical support requirements of religious programs and facilities aboard ships, shore stations, hospitals, Marine Corps units and other sea service commands. operating and maintaining libraries aboard ships and isolated duty stations, performing bookkeeping and accounting functions related to Religious Offerings Fund and OPTAR fund transactions, as custodians, rigging and unrigging for religious activities, publicizing the command's religious activities, training command religious program volunteers on logistics and instruction methods, supervising chaplain's office personnel, performing administrative, clerical and secretarial duties, stocking and maintaining field mount-out boxes. They are also responsible for providing physical security for chaplains during field exercises and in combat environments, Civil affairs support. RPs often serve, with Fleet Marine Force units, with Naval Expeditionary Combat Command which include Seabees. They also can serve with Navy SEALs, SWCC, Navy EOD, and Dive units. They can be stationed on Shore Stations, at Naval Hospitals, at CREDO retreat centers, on Individual Augmentee assignments with Chaplains from other services. RP's also have the opportunity to serve on ships as well. RPs must have a favorable interview by chaplain/RP screening committee. High school diploma graduate or equivalent with successful completion of 10th grade. Repeat military offenders and personnel convicted by military or civilian authorities of any criminal offense reflecting unfavorably upon their character or integrity are ineligible for the RP rating. Moral turpitude offense(s) are disqualifying. Ministers, Priests, or Rabbis are not eligible for this rating. "A" School In August 2009, the Naval Chaplaincy School and Center (NCSC) was opened in Fort Jackson, Columbia, South Carolina. The RP “A”