R 140915Z JAN 00 ZYW
FM CMC WASHINGTON DC//CMC//
TO ALMAR
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UNCLAS  //N01730//
ALMAR 004/00
MSGID/GENADMIN/CMC/REL//
SUBJ/21ST ANNIVERSARY OF THE RELIGIOUS PROGRAM SPECIALIST (RP)
RATING//
POC/SGT WINKLER BJ/CSG ADMIN CHIEF/-/-/TEL:703-614-2326 DSN 224//
RMKS/1.  ON 15 JANUARY 1979, THE SECRETARY OF THE NAVY APPROVED THE
ESTABLISHMENT OF THE RELIGIOUS PROGRAM SPECIALIST RATING.  THE 21ST
ANNIVERSARY OF THIS OCCASION PRESENTS TO ALL MARINES AN OPPORTUNITY
TO RECOGNIZE THE CONTRIBUTIONS OF RELIGIOUS PROGRAM SPECIALISTS WHO
SERVE WITH US.
2.  RELIGIOUS PROGRAM SPECIALISTS ARE A CRITICAL LINK IN THE CHAIN OF
SUPPORT FOR OUR MARINES, SAILORS AND FAMILY MEMBERS.  THEY ARE OFTEN
THE FIRST PEOPLE ENCOUNTERED WHEN SEEKING THE ASSISTANCE OF A
CHAPLAIN, THEY PROVIDE COMPASSION, CARE AND RESPECT AT CRITICAL
MOMENTS IN THE LIVES OF OUR MARINES AND THEIR FAMILIES.  THE DESIGN OF
THE RP RATING INSIGNIA SPEAKS VOLUMES OF THEIR MISSION:  THE COMPASS,
WHICH SUGGESTS THE DIRECTION WHICH RELIGION GIVES TO LIFE; THE GLOBE,
WHICH SYMBOLIZES WORLDWIDE MINISTRY OUTREACH; AND THE ANCHOR, WHICH
INDICATES THAT RELIGIOUS SUPPORT IS PROVIDED CONTINUALLY FOR SEA
SERVICE  PERSONNEL.  RPS CARRY OUT THE COMMITMENT IMPLICIT IN THEIR
RATING INSIGNIA WITH PRIDE AND PROFESSIONALISM, AND BY DOING SO THEY
PROMOTE THE READINESS OF THE MARINE CORPS FAMILY.
3.  ON BEHALF OF ALL MARINES, I WANT TO EXPRESS MY DEEPEST
APPRECIATION TO RELIGIOUS PROGRAM SPECIALISTS FOR THEIR MANY YEARS
OF DEDICATED SERVICE.  HAPPY ANNIVERSARY, AND SEMPER FIDELIS.
JAMES L. JONES, GENERAL, U.S. MARINE CORPS, COMMANDANT OF THE MARINE
CORPS.//
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