..what is rank advancement like in this rating
what are the benefits...what are the downfalls ??
2007-11-28 16:08:18 · 5 answers · asked by Willie C 1 in Politics & Government ➔ Military
Like others have said..pretty much somebody has to die or retire before you can get past Third Class nowadays. High Year Tenure means you really have to stand out if you wish to advance and not be kicked out. If you are looking to do one tour, maybe as long as you understand that while you might not see sea duty, you could see combat.
you are the Chaplains' secretary, bodyguard, go-fer and all around Squid Friday. you will be dealing with people of all faiths and denominations(including atheists and agnostics) and you are expected to treat them all the same and NOT push your own beliefs on them.
2007-11-29 01:45:41 · answer #1 · answered by Mrsjvb 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Good answers here already from the Master Chief and Chief.
But the benefits/downfalls of the RP rating...
First of all, the RP is basically a Yeoman (secretary) for a Chaplain. They handle all the administrative duties involved in religious services. It doesn't matter what your denomination is either. For example, you may be Catholic but working for a Jewish Chaplain.
RP's are also the Chaplain's bodyguard. Due to the very nature of their job (Chaplains) they cannot carry a firearm while deployed in a combat zone. So that responsibility falls on the RP. Don't worry though, RPs chosen for this duty will be trained by the nation's finest, the United States Marine Corps, before actually "hitting the field". All in all, if you love God (or whatever you may choose to call your personal Higher Power), your country, and have a desire to serve in my Navy, then RP is the rate for you. Even if their advancement sucks, LOL.
2007-11-28 20:10:56 · answer #2 · answered by That guy 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Rp advancement to E-4 and above is extreamly difficult due to the fact that it is a very small community in the Navy so the muliple (cutoff score) to be advancesd is sky high.
I can see no benefit to this rate, personally I think it ought to be discontinued.
Downfalls ? :
Well there are few sea billets, so you don't get to travel much and isn't that one of the reasons for joining the Navy ?
14 years is the maximum to serve as an E-5. Chances are as a RP you'll be forced out under high year tenure for not making rank and there goes your retirement.
You won't be respected by the other sailors. Most of us consider that job a "skate rate" and not a real career.
2007-11-28 19:18:23 · answer #3 · answered by oneiloilojeepney 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
RP's do see combat, and action. I was an RP for 20 years, during the Irag war and even served with 1st Battalion 9th Marines in Somalia. Our job went far beyond setting behind a desk, as one Chief answered, besides corpsman really the only other rate, that you are also considered a Marine, and are treated as one of their own. It is a great...I suggest it over the many other where you do set behind a desk. Even as a chief one will be involved in the field. Be ready for forced marches, lots of PT, and action!
2016-05-26 07:09:16 · answer #4 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
According to the most recent CAREER REENLISTMENT OBJECTIVES message the RP Rating is overmanned at the E4/E5 levels and fully manned at the E6 levels. Manning levels directly impact advancement opportunity!!! Overmanned rates have poor advancement!
Benefit... not much sea duty...
Downfall... Alot of Duty w/ USMC in the Field!!!
2007-11-28 16:43:20 · answer #5 · answered by Jerry D 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋