Chaplains, Religious Program Specialists Hold First Joint Graduation

By Cmdr. Yolanda Gillen, Naval Chaplaincy School and Center

FORT JACKSON, S.C. (NNS) -- The inaugural group of chaplains and religious program specialists (RPs) to be trained together graduated during a ceremony held at the Naval Chaplaincy School and Center (NCSC), on board Fort Jackson, S.C., Mar 30.

Guest speaker, Capt. Michael White, chief operating officer, Naval Education Training and Education Command, encouraged the students to realize the impact of their position as chaplains and RPs.

"As you arrive at your first command, you will be introduced to the routine - meetings, office hours, services," said White. "My advice is to make sure you break free and walk the deck, the flight line, the post, a few minutes with 'Chaps' or 'RP' will make their day."

The 20 chaplains who graduated from the basic leadership course (BLC) and the 17 RP's who graduated from RP 'A' school are the first group of students to be introduced to NCSC's concept of religious ministry team (RMT) training.

While at NCSC the chaplains and RPs experienced more than 100 hours of learning together, including working as a team during field expeditionary training.

"I thought the training was helpful because it put us in the real world of learning how to work with chaplains before we get to the fleet," said Seaman Recruit Donald Bishop."

Prior to arriving at NCSC, the RPs spent eight weeks in Great Lakes, Ill. for basic training, while the chaplains completed five weeks of basic military instruction at the Officer Development School (ODS) in Newport, R.I.

The joint training at NCSC is designed to have chaplains and RPs acquire basic knowledge of military chaplaincy, fundamental RP skills, and formalize the importance of the religious ministry team concept before going to the fleet.

The RP's were also the first to qualify on the weapons range before going to their first command. Three of them earned their expert medal and six shot sharpshooter.

In October 2009 the Naval Chaplains School located onboard Naval Station, Newport, R.I. and the RP School located at Naval Technical and Training Center Meridian, Miss. moved to Fort Jackson.

The school was renamed Naval Chaplaincy School and Center to reflect chaplains and RPs training in the same location. Having the chaplains and RPs train together at the same location is a result of the 2005 Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC).

Rear Adm. Margaret Kibben, chaplain of the Marine Corps, concluded the ceremony by leading the chaplains in the re-affirmation of the officer's commissioning oath.

Capt. Michael Langston, NCSC's commanding officer gave his closing remarks saying, "Wherever the Navy sends you, be strong and courageous for the Lord will be with you wherever you go."

"It was inspiring to look around the auditorium and see graduating chaplains and RPs, who came to NCSC as a bunch of individuals, but were now graduating to the fleet with a new identity of what it means to be a religious ministry team," said NCSC graduate Lt. j.g. Travis Coffey.