"The military has personnel from many religions and faiths. The military provides chaplains and religious program specialists to help meet the spiritual needs of its personnel. Religious program specialists assist chaplains with religious services, religious education programs, and related administrative duties."
What They Do:
Religious program specialists in the military perform some or all of the following duties:
Assist chaplains in planning and preparing religious programs and activities
Assist chaplains in conducting religious services
Prepare religious, educational, and devotional materials
Organize charitable and public service volunteer programs
Maintain relations with religious communities and public service organizations
Perform administrative duties for chaplains, such as scheduling appointments, handling correspondence, maintaining files, and handling finances.
Training Provided:
Job training consists of seven to eight weeks of classroom instruction. Course content typically includes:
Principles of religious support programs
Guidance and counseling techniques
Leadership skills
Office procedures
Civilian Counterparts:
Civilian religious program specialists help manage churches and religious schools. Their duties are similar to those performed by military religious program specialists, including planning religious programs and preparing religious educational materials. They are also called directors of religious activities.
Helpful Attributes:
Helpful school subjects include English, public speaking, accounting, and typing. Helpful attributes include:
Interest in religious guidance
Sensitivity to the needs of others
Knowledge of various religious customs and beliefs
Ability to express ideas clearly and concisely
Interest in administrative work
Work Environment:
Religious program specialists in the
military usually work indoors. They also serve aboard ships or with land and air units in the field.
Physical Demands:
The ability to speak clearly and distinctly is required to enter this occupation.
Special Requirements:
There are no special requirements for this career.