Religious Program Specialist

Depending on if she is "Green side" which means serving with Marines- she will then go to CREST in North Carolina for more training, lasting a couple months. If she is strictly "blue side" she will just get orders to a Navy base. Hope that helps! I know it's a little confusing at first!

at the end of A school- she will get orders for either green side or blue side. She won't know until she gets her orders.

Renee!  Looking forward to your Sailor coming to Henderson Hall!  The Battalion is a very important job to all of Headquarters Marine Corps!  

Our son left MEPS for Great Lakes on Monday.  He enlisted as a Religious Program Specialist and is really excited about this opportunity as he plans to eventually go to college and then seminary...my concern however is about A school.  He was told that he would be going to Meridian Miss. for  A school, but that isn't what I am seeing on this group site.  Is there also A school for RPS at Meridian, or did the recruiter have it wrong?

Hi Chris, first of all congratulations! This will be a very exciting journey for everyone involved. As far as the RP A school location, it is located in Columbia, South Carolina. A few years ago they moved the location to Columbia from Meridian. My husband was given the same incorrect information while he was at MEPS, but rest assured that his RP A school training is no longer in Mississippi.

AshleyB ~ thanks!  This actually works out a little better as it is a little closer to home.  How does your husband like RP?

What is the name of the base/installation in Columbia SC?

miss3269 ~ thank you!  How long is the A school for RPs?

Please forgive my ignorance...I am not exactly sure what the RPs do.  I understand there is clerical work (oh boy!  paperwork, my son's specialty!!) and that he will "support" the chaplain and act as bodyguard...Can anyone fill in some details?

Thanks!

Thanks Renee E; I will do that.

Becoming an RP was my son' FIRST Choice and he is absolutely thrilled that they were able to offer it to him! He is 20 years old and I have heard nothing more, since he was 7 years old, that he wants to share the love of Christ with everyone! He is currently a Sophomore in College, majoring in Biblical and Theological Studies. He will be going to BC on November 5th!  <>/p>

My son is at RTC he went in on April 15th. He's position will be an RP. He chose this because he will be studying Ministry in college. He has always wanted to be a Pastor. He loves sharing God's word and helping others find their strength in the Lord. His PIR date 6/14 we have made our plans to attend. I am so very proud of him, its just so hard being away from him.

Hello Betsy, my son graduated from RTC on 4/12, just before yours got there. It was a wonderful weekend in Great Lakes.  You will be so very proud of him and all the others in his group.  Please make friends on N4M with the Boot Camp Moms (if you haven't already) and it will make boot camp go very quickly for you.

He is in RP school now.  It's not a long A school.  He started April 21 and graduates May 28.  And the best part is that he is only 1.5 hrs from us!

Chris, have you heard much from Jonathan about how school is going?  I have not, but I consider that to be good!

My son went to MEPS today and he will be leaving November 4 for boot camp.  He is going to be a RP.  We are very proud of him.

Amy, sorry I have not been in touch..some crazy life-style changes going on here...Johnathan has not said much either.  Seems to be enjoying it and making friends.  Anxious to get his orders (praying he stays on the Blue side).  Will you be at the graduation on the 28th?  We intend to be there.

How is Ezra doing?

Things are going well for Ez, too.  He actually got 2 days of leave and I saw him here at home yesterday!  It was great, of course.

Yes, I'll be at graduation.  You see my picture here.  How may I recognize you?

We had the great honor of attending our Sailor's graduation from RP A school this week.  While certainly not as full of pomp & circumstance as the PIR, it was nevertheless full of ceremony & meaning.  It was a wonderful experience, and MasterChief Medler's address to the Sailors was very well done.  The staff at the school were very welcoming and accomodating to family members.  Both they and the graduates exhibited tremendous patience as the cameras flashed for that perfect picture!  My only "disappointment" was that more families were not represented that morning.  I realize there are a number of reasons (financial & logistical) for that, but as we have so few opportunities to share in the accomplishments of our sons/daughters as they make their ways in life, every one is precious!  So my thanks to the staff of the Naval Chapliancy School, and my prayers for the newly graduated class of RPs.

I agree with Chris.  (Great to meet you there, Chris!)  The address to the sailors was indeed very poignant and I even took notes.  He seems to be a wonderful man, in many ways.  It was an honor to be at the ceremony.  My Sailor and his girlfriend were so cute!  We took pictures with the gigantic anchor outside the school building.  My Sailor has learned so much since Feb. 10, and now he gets to put it to work.  So proud.  HooYah!

I'm going to my daughters RP graduation next month with my 81 yr old mom.  My daughter is 20.  I'm struggling a bit trying to find something fun to do that they'll both like.  I see there's a zoo nearby and the SC aquarium about 2 hours away but no idea if either are worth going to.  If anyone that's been to the Columbia area has a suggestion, I'd appreciate it! 

Hello DevlinSide, and congrats on your daughter's graduation!  My son graduated in May from RP school.  We are from SC, so it was an easy trip.  And the best part is that his permanent duty station is also in SC!!  We get to see him often.  As to answering your questions, there's a nice water park at Ft. Jackson that your daughter and mom may like.  Also, the Riverbanks Zoo is really nice.  The Charleston Aquarium is good, but a bit far away.  But that means the beach is 2 hrs away, too.  Not Myrtle, but several other nice ones near Charleston.  Folly and Edisto are two.  And the mountains are only about 2 1/2 hrs away too!  Yes, we have mts in SC! 

Thanks Abucking - I still haven't found much for us to do (my daughter isn't a naturey kind of person) but we'll figure something out.  I just hope the weather co-operates!  How nice that you'll be able to see your son often.  Mine will be at Pendleton in Ca.

By the way, do you just need your photo ID and car information to get on the base for graduation - and what time does it start if you remember? 

Yes, you only need your photo ID to get on base.  Graduation was in the morning at about 9, I think, when my sailor graduated.  We only live 2 hrs away, but stayed in a motel the night before to make sure we got there on time.It was very nicely done.  What is your daughter's graduation date?

The SC State Museum is in Columbia, and there's a big mall called Columbiana near I-20 and I-26.

Hope y'all find something interesting to do.

She graduated last Friday, August 9th.  The ceremony was so nice and I'm glad I went!

thisistuff, I'm guessing your son will be at Ft Jackson.  It's a very good program, and very quick, once it gets started.  It will seem like no time till you are going to another graduation!  Since you're in GA, your son may get to come home some, or you can visit.  Also, some of the posts below describe what it's like.  Best Wishes!

After "A" school he/we are wanting to remain as close as possible. What will be his options as far as permanent duty station. He is already worrying about what options he will have, any information would be appreciated:)  

He may well get a few choices.  My sailor did.  But there's no guarantee as to whether or not he'll get the one he wants as a duty station.

Worrying won't help tho.  He joined the Navy and they are in charge!  It'll be good.

My son just recently began the RP program.  How many schools are involved and where are they?

Thanks!!