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What is MARS?
The Military Auxiliary
Radio System (MARS) is a Department of Defense sponsored program, established
as separately managed and operated programs by the Army, Navy-Marine Corps and
Air Force. MARS members are volunteer licensed amateur radio operators who are
interested in providing auxiliary or emergency communications to local,
national and international emergency and safety organizations, as an adjunct to
normal communications. The primary concept of MARS is to meet the requirements
of training for any communications emergency. To this end, organization,
methods and facilities must be adequate to meet any emergency requirements and
must be flexible in order to provide for rapid expansion. Normal methods must
be such that only minor changes will be required when shifting to an emergency
status.
Mission
* To provide
Department of Defense sponsored emergency communications on a local, national,
and international basis as an adjunct to normal communications.
* To provide auxiliary communications for military, civil, and/or disaster
officials during periods of emergency.
* To assist in effecting normal communications under emergency conditions.
The Benefits of ARMY MARS Membership
Add to the enjoyment of your amateur radio
hobby through the expanded horizon of MARS. Become part of the Army,
Navy-Marine Corps, or Air Force MARS worldwide communications system. There are
MARS stations in Japan, Korea, the Trust Territories, Hawaii, the Virgin
Islands, Puerto Rico, Central America, Alaska, Germany, Africa, and the
continental United States. Increase your communications skills and
capabilities. Selected correspondence courses in communications - electronics
subjects are available free to MARS members from their respective Auxiliary
service after completion of six months active membership. Qualified Army MARS
members may apply for such courses at the Army Correspondence Course Program
website. Operate on specially assigned military radio frequencies in voice,
teletype, and packet modes of communications. Join a group of dedicated fellow
radio amateurs participating in meaningful public service. Affiliate with the
service branch of your choice and become part of the professional military communications
family. Gain a feeling of being associated with a military mission and
contributing to the welfare and preparedness of the nation. Participate in
regulated, disciplined radio nets with structured lines of organization and
very specific operating rules.
History of Army MARS Program
In November, 1925, the Army
Amateur Radio System (AARS) was initiated by a few dedicated pioneers in the
United States Army Signal Corps led by Capt. Thomas C. Rives. His original
intention was to enlist the talents of volunteer Amateur Radio operators as a
source to train soldiers in the then new technology of radio as well as
pursuing radio research and development to improve radio equipment within the
Army. His efforts were very successful. This organization continued until the
United States entry into World War II, at which time radio Amateurs were denied
the use of the air. Therefore, the activities of AARS, as it was known, were
suspended until 1946 when, once again, AARS was allowed to go back on the air.
During the years 1925 through 1942, the AARS functioned more or less as an
extra curricular activity of the U. S. Army Signal Corps, its scope being
necessarily limited by the meager budget of the pre-World War II depression
years. The best available figures indicate that as of the 7th of December,
1941, there were approximately 60,000 FCC licensed Amateurs within the United
States and its possessions. Some 5600 of those Amateurs were members of the
AARS. About 20% of the pre-World War II AARS members eventually entered the
service of their country either in the Army or in a civilian capacity. The U.
S. Army recognized the great importance of reactivating the AARS to train
vitally needed communications personnel at a relatively inexpensive direct cost
to the U.S. government. Therefore, in 1946, the AARS was reactivated and functioned
as such until the creation of the Military Amateur Radio System in 1948, later
renamed the Military Auxiliary Radio System (MARS) with Army MARS and the newly
formed Air Force MARS reflecting the creation of the Air Force as a separate
service. In early 1963, the Navy-Marine Corps MARS was established.MARS has
grown in all of the services throughout the world. It relies on civilian and
military MARS members to be available in case of emergency or disaster to
provide communications support. At such times, MARS needs all of the support it
can provide. Amateur Radio, collectively with MARS, has made its mark in
American history. Each year provides new evidence of the important role it
plays in the service of the nation.
Official Sponsorship
The Military Auxiliary
Radio System (MARS) is an official Department of Defense and Department of the
Army sponsored communications system. Therefore, it has official status, is
assigned missions and functions, and authorized the use of assigned military
radio frequencies. Army MARS is
directed and managed by the Department of the Army through the United States
Network Enterprise Technology Command/9th Army Signal Command and is a
world-wide organization. It is comprised of both military and civilian
personnel. In fact, the majority are civilian volunteers. Each volunteer Army
MARS member is required to hold a valid Amateur Radio license from the Federal
Communications Commission. These volunteers are under no service obligation,
but must meet a 12-hour per calendar quarter minimum participation requirement.
A volunteer may resign from Army MARS at any time without difficulty or
prejudice by simply submitting a written resignation.
How to Join Army MARS
Eligibility
The applicant must -
* Be 17
years of age or older. (Signature of parent or legal guardian is required when
an applicant is under 18 years of age.)
* Be a United States Citizen or resident alien. Possess a valid Amateur General
Class radio license issued by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) or
other competent U.S. Authority.
* Possess a station capable of operating on MARS VHF and/or HF frequencies.
* Agree to operate a minimum of 12 hours per calendar quarter with 6 hours
being on VHF and or HF networks.
* Submit Monthly Participation Reports using the approved format.
* Submit as required Essential Elements of
Information (EEI) Reports. (currently requires some alignment)
Text Version of the format.
* Complete the Basic Training within 6 months of joining the program.
Types of Membership
There are four types of membership -
A little bit more about MARS...
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Last Updated Dec 4 2011