Navy Religious Program Specialist (RP): Definitive Guide (2025)

This guide provides helpful information for those looking to join the Navy as a Religious Program Specialist (RP) during the Fiscal Year 2025.  

Faith keeps people grounded. But out at sea, life gets rough. That’s where Religious Program Specialists step in. You don’t just set up services. You listen. You help. You’re the one Sailors turn to when things get tough.

Any faith, any background—you make sure they’ve got what they need. You handle devotional materials, plan events, keep records. You stand beside Chaplains, provide security, support mental health.

And when someone’s struggling—suicide prevention, relationship problems, just needing to talk—you’re there.

You help Sailors keep their faith. Or just keep going. Want to be that person?

Job Description

navy-rp-insignia
RP Insignia – Credit: U.S. Navy

Religious Program Specialists (RPs) help make sure Sailors, Marines, and their families have the resources they need to practice their faith—no matter what it is. Christianity, Islam, Judaism, Hinduism, or any other belief system, RPs help Chaplains provide ministry and religious support in every environment the Navy operates.

They do more than organize worship services. RPs manage religious records, maintain libraries, set up devotional displays, and help coordinate events.

They assist Chaplains in counseling and support services, giving Sailors someone to talk to when dealing with tough times—relationship struggles, stress, self-esteem issues, even suicide prevention. They help create a sense of community, no matter where a Sailor is stationed.

RPs don’t just work in chapels. They serve at sea, on bases, in hospitals, and even in combat zones. Chaplains are non-combatants, meaning they don’t carry weapons. RPs, on the other hand, are trained to provide security, ensuring the Chaplain’s safety in the field.

This role isn’t for everyone. It requires a strong sense of duty, organization, and the ability to handle sensitive matters.

Around 700 active-duty and 300 reservist RPs serve in the Navy today. Those who qualify have a solid chance of being accepted into the rating.

Over a 20-year career, RPs typically spend 50% of their time in fleet assignments and 50% at shore stations.

Specific Responsibilities

As an RP, you’ll:

  • Assist Chaplains from all faiths in conducting services and religious activities.
  • Provide security for Chaplains in combat and high-risk environments.
  • Maintain religious records, references, and libraries.
  • Manage religious facilities and keep them ready for use.
  • Support religious education and devotional programs, including setting up audiovisual materials.
  • Help organize religious services and outreach programs on ships, bases, and hospitals.
  • Promote and manage faith-based events for the command.
  • Work under the supervision of Navy Chaplains to support the spiritual needs of service members.

Different Roles

Religious Program Senior Supervisor

These are the ones making sure everything runs smooth. Big picture thinkers. They help manage the Chaplain Corps, oversee Religious Ministry (RM), and make sure sailors and their families get the support they need. They don’t just work behind the scenes—they’re also the ones advising leadership on morale, planning, and execution of religious programs.

They assess how well Religious Ministry Teams (RMTs) are doing their jobs, provide technical guidance on force protection in high-risk environments, and give input on policies, manpower, training, and anything else affecting how chaplains operate in the field.

Religious Program Specialist

Think of them as the right hand of the Chaplain Corps. They do everything from handling logistics for religious services to ensuring sailors have the materials they need to practice their faith. They’re also responsible for program execution, coordinating events, and managing the day-to-day operations of religious services.

And when it comes to combat zones? They’re the ones making sure Chaplains stay safe. Chaplains don’t carry weapons—RPs do. So in expeditionary settings, they’re trained to provide security while still fulfilling their primary mission of supporting religious services.

Religious Program Supervisor

These guys take on more leadership responsibilities. They run the show when it comes to managing the Professional Naval Chaplaincy and making sure RMTs have what they need to operate efficiently. They help oversee morale programs, offer counsel to chaplains, and keep everything in order.

They’re the ones making sure data gets collected, research gets done, and the right analysis goes to leadership. Whether on a base, at sea, or deployed, they’re making sure sailors have access to religious support—no matter where they are.

Rank Structure

Pay GradeRateAbbreviationTitle
E-1Seaman RecruitSRSeaman Recruit
E-2Seaman ApprenticeSASeaman Apprentice
E-3SeamanSNSeaman
E-4Religious Program Specialist Third ClassRP3Petty Officer Third Class
E-5Religious Program Specialist Second ClassRP2Petty Officer Second Class
E-6Religious Program Specialist First ClassRP1Petty Officer First Class
E-7Chief Religious Program SpecialistRPCChief Petty Officer
E-8Senior Chief Religious Program SpecialistRPCSSenior Chief Petty Officer
E-9Master Chief Religious Program SpecialistRPCMMaster Chief Petty Officer

Salary and Benefits

Salary for the First 6 Years

Monthly pay for Navy enlisted Sailors (E-1 to E-6) in the first six years is laid out in the January  2025 Active Duty Pay chart:

Pay GradeLess than 2 YearsOver 2 YearsOver 3 YearsOver 4 YearsOver 6 Years
E-1$2,108.10$2,108.10$2,108.10$2,108.10$2,108.10
E-2$2,362.80$2,362.80$2,362.80$2,362.80$2,362.80
E-3$2,484.60$2,640.60$2,800.80$2,800.80$2,800.80
E-4$2,752.20$2,892.90$3,049.80$3,204.30$3,341.40
E-5$3,001.50$3,203.70$3,358.80$3,517.20$3,763.80
E-6$3,276.60$3,606.00$3,765.00$3,919.80$4,080.60

Extra Pays and Allowances

Housing Allowance (BAH):
For members living off-base. Covers rent, based on rank, location, and if they have dependents.

Subsistence Allowance (BAS):
Enlisted get $465.77 monthly for food.

Hazard Duty Pay:
For dangerous jobs. Pays $150-$250 per month, depending on the job.

Sea Pay:
For those assigned to ships or deployed units. Depends on rank and time at sea, from $50 to $750 a month.

Special and Incentive Pays:
Bonuses for certain roles, like air traffic control or unique skills. These can be a few hundred to thousands per year.

Source: Figures are from the Defense Finance and Accounting Service.

Benefits

  • Healthcare: Active-duty personnel are eligible for free complete medical and dental treatment. Tricare programs are inexpensive for families to use.
  • Housing Accomodation: Depending on location, rank, and family size, free on-base accommodation or a tax-free housing allowance (BAH) for off-base living are available.
  • Food: Monthly Basic Allowance for Subsistence (BAS) for food costs is known as the “food allowance.”
  • Blended Retirement System (BRS): Conventional pensions are no longer available to active-duty personnel. Rather:
    • Thrift Savings Plan (TSP): Up to 5% in government matching and automatic contributions.
    • Retirement Pay: After 20 years of service, you’re eligible for monthly payments according on the BRS formula, which combines TSP savings with a calculated pension.
  • Education:
    • Availability of tuition assistance programs that pay for all or part of college tuition.
    • Support for higher education under the post-9/11 GI Bill.
    • Navy College Program to support education while on service.
  • Life Insurance: Servicemembers’ Group Life Insurance (SGLI) provides coverage up to $500,000.
  • Vacation: ten or more federal holidays plus thirty days of paid vacation each year.
  • Extra Benefits:
    • Exchanges and commissaries provide tax-free purchasing.
    • Discounted travel via military resorts, access to fitness centers, and leisure amenities.
Navy-RP-Rating-Religious-Program-Specialist-Image-704X396

Training and Promotion Opportunities

Initial Training

Step 1: Boot Camp

First stop—Recruit Training Command (Boot Camp) at Great Lakes. You’ll get the basics: discipline, physical fitness, Navy customs.

Step 2: “A” School (8 Weeks)

After Boot Camp, head to Newport, RI, for 8 weeks at the Naval Chaplaincy School & Center. This is where you’ll learn:

  • How to support religious services for different faiths
  • How to manage religious programs
  • How to organize events and keep records
  • How to help Sailors with personal and spiritual guidance

Step 3: Marine Combat Training (5 Weeks)

Next, you go tactical. 5 weeks at Camp Johnson, NC for Marine Combat Training (“C” School). Why? Because Chaplains are non-combatants—they don’t carry weapons. RPs do. That means:

  • Defensive training (because you’re protecting Chaplains in the field)
  • Combat survival skills (because you might be deployed with Marines)
  • How to operate in high-risk environments

Training Breakdown (Quick Look)

TrainingLocationTimeWhat You’ll Learn
Boot CampGreat Lakes, IL8 weeksMilitary basics
“A” SchoolNewport, RI8 weeksReligious program support
“C” School (Marine Combat Training)Camp Johnson, NC5 weeksSecurity & field training

After that? You’re in the fleet. Could be a base, a ship, or a deployment with the Marines. Wherever Chaplains go, RPs follow.


Career Growth & Civilian Opportunities

Want to move up?

  • Earn promotions through training, leadership, and performance
  • Expand skills—take advanced courses in counseling, chaplain support, and security
  • Higher ranks = more responsibility & better pay

Life after the Navy?

  • Faith-based careers—chaplaincy support, nonprofit leadership
  • Administrative roles—HR, office management
  • Security & counseling—veteran services, community outreach

Qualifications to Join

What You Need to Qualify

  • Education: High school diploma or GED equivalent
  • Citizenship: U.S. Citizen
  • Driver’s License: Must have a valid one
  • Typing Speed: Minimum 30 words per minute
  • Moral Character: Must be of good standing, set high standards, and support all faiths
  • Work Schedule: Expect evening, weekend, and holiday duties

ASVAB Score Requirements (Meet one of these)

ASVAB CategoryMinimum Score
VE + MK105; or
VE + MK + CS157

Other Requirements

  • Security Clearance: Required
  • CO Recommendation: Needs to highlight moral character
  • Disqualifications:
    • No NJP or civil convictions in the last 2 years
    • Any moral turpitude offenses = automatic disqualification
  • Screening Process:
    • Interviewed and recommended by a Navy Chaplain/RP Screening Committee
    • Committee must include at least:
      • 1 Chaplain (LCDR or above)
      • 1 RP (E6 or above)
    • Must complete 30 days of on-the-job training under a Chaplain and RP
    • RP Screening Form completion required

Important Notes

  • No repeat military offenders
  • No past convictions reflecting poorly on character or integrity
  • Moral turpitude offenses are disqualifying
  • Ministers, Priests, and Rabbis are NOT eligible

What skills help?

  • Clear communication—writing & speaking
  • Attention to detail & accuracy
  • Record-keeping ability
  • Initiative & resourcefulness
  • Basic math skills

What’s the job really like?

  • Support clergy & service members of ALL faiths
  • Manage records & religious materials
  • Assist with religious services & programs
  • Be the go-to for faith-based support

The enlistment qualification requirements above are current as of Fiscal Year 2025, per the Navy Personnel Command. This information is not readily available to the public. So, contact your local Navy Enlisted Recruiter for the most current requirements to join the Navy as an enlisted Sailor.

More Information

If you wish to learn more about becoming a Religious Program Specialist (RP), contact your local Navy Enlisted Recruiter. They will provide you with more detailed information you’re unlikely to find online. 

You may also be interested in the following related Navy Enlisted jobs: 

Ted Kingston
I’m a Navy veteran who used to serve as a Navy recruiter. This website is the most reliable source of information for all Enlisted Navy Sailor aspirants. In coordination with a network of current and former Navy recruiters, my goal is to make reliable information easily available to you so you can make informed career decisions.

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