R 151200Z JAN 03
FM CMC WASHINGTON DC(n)
TO ML ALMAR(n)
ALMAR
BT
UNCLAS
ALMAR 003/03
MSGID/GENADMIN/CMC WASHINGTON DC//REL//
SUBJ/24TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE RELIGIOUS PROGRAM SPECIALIST
(RP) RATING//
RMKS/1.  15 JANUARY 2003 MARKS THE 24TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE
RELIGIOUS PROGRAM SPECIALIST (RP) RATING.  ON BEHALF OF ALL
MARINES, I WOULD LIKE TO TAKE THIS OPPORTUNITY TO THANK RPS
FOR THEIR OUTSTANDING SUPPORT OF MARINES AND SAILORS, AND
THEIR CONTRIBUTION TO THE DEFENSE OF OUR NATION.
2.  RELIGIOUS PROGRAM SPECIALISTS HAVE MADE SIGNIFICANT
CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE POSITIVE WELFARE AND READINESS OF THE
NAVY AND MARINE CORPS FAMILY FOR 24 YEARS.  WHETHER ON LAND,
SEA, OR IN THE AIR; WHETHER ON THE BATTLEFIELD OR IN GARRISON,
RELIGIOUS PROGRAM SPECIALISTS HAVE PROVEN THEMSELVES WORTHY
MEMBERS OF THE RELIGIOUS MINISTRY TEAM.
3.  WITH THE EXPANDED ROLE OF THE CHAPLAIN AND RP IN MILITARY
OPERATIONS OTHER THAN WAR (MOOTW), AND NOW OUR NATION'S WAR
ON TERRORISM, MARINES HAVE COME TO EXPECT AND RELY UPON THE
ENCOURAGEMENT, SUPPORT, AND SPIRITUAL GUIDANCE THAT RELIGIOUS
MINISTRY TEAMS PROVIDE. YOU RICHLY DESERVE THE GRATITUDE OF
ALL MARINES AND THEIR FAMILIES.  OUR SINCEREST WISHES FOR A
HAPPY ANNIVERSARY.  SEMPER FIDELIS AND GOD BLESS.
4.  SEMPER FIDELIS, M. W. HAGEE, GENERAL, U.S. MARINE CORPS,
COMMANDANT OF THE MARINE CORPS.//