What is MARS?
MARS stands for Military Auxiliary Radio System, an organization of some 5,000 US amateur radio operators. They volunteer their time and radio equipment to assist government agencies in the event normal communication channels are disrupted by natural calamity (Hurricane Katrina) or hostile action (9/11/01). The Department of Defense sponsors MARS and allocates special frequencies for the use of members. The Army, Air Force, and Navy-Marine Corps each have their own MARS branch. Army MARS nubers about 2,600 members.
What MARS does:
We train constantly to provide voice and digital links for fedreal, state, and local response agencies. MARS is a part of the National Incident Response System (NIMS) established after 9/11/01.
We maintain our own amateur radio equipment in constant readiness for response to any support request.
We operate state, regional, and national HF radio networks on a daily basis to perfect our operating skills and test our equipment. In an emergency, these nets are ready for immediate action.
We participate in exercises with other emergency entities including the Army Northern Command (ARRNORTH), the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), the Federal Emergency Management agency (FEMA), Texas State Department of Emergency Management ant the Texas Military Forces. Members qualify on FEMA first responder courses.
We develop and apply new technology such as HF-Email (Winlink) and other advanced digital modes.
We coordinate with the American Radio Relay League, American Red Cross, Salvation Army and of course Air Force, and Navy-Marine corps MARS in eemergency relief planning and response operations.
History of MARS:
In 1925, when radio was very new, the US Army Signal Corps enrolled a group of civilian amateurs to help train military operators. The Army Amateur Radio System (AARS) continued in operation until World War II, when all on-air activity by amateurs was suspended in the United States. The organization reactivated in 1948 under the MARS name. Separate Air Force and Navy-Marine Corps MARS branches were born soon afterwards.
Members of all three performed admirable service durng the Korean and “Vietnam Wars and again in Operation Desert Storm by keeping the troops at overseas in touch with family and friends at home. Hundreds of thousands of “MARS-grams” and phone connections were handled without charge.
In 1994, the Army’s Directorate of Military Support called on MARS operators after the Northridge Earthquake in Southern California. That was the worst natural disaster recorded in the US up to that time, and all commercial communications failed. Army MARS delivered the information necessary for planning immediate relief operations. From that point on, emergency communications backup has been the primary mission of MARS.
How Army MARS is Organized:
We are a unit of the Network Enterprise Technology 9th Signal Command (ARMY). (th Signal Command is responsible for the Army’s network operations and security worldwide. Headquarters is at Fort Huachuca, Arizona, a major Army signals and intelligence base south of Tucson.
Chief Army MARS, james E. Griffin, has a fulltime core staff at headquarters which consists of civilian employees or contractors. These include the operting staff of the MARS Gateway Station, AAA9USA, at Fort Huachuca.
Chief Griffin is also assisted by a special staff of volunteers appointed for their expertise form the general membership.
In the field, the basic unit is the state, led by a volunteer state director and his staff–assistant director, adiminstrative officer; emergency operations officer, training officer, all appointed from the membership based on experience and demonstrated leadership.
States are organized into 10 regions with a command structure just like the states. Region leadership is also an all volunteer position.
Privileges of Membership:
Army MARS activity is a challenging extension of your interest in amateur radio. you put your ham skills to work in meaningful public service.
you will operate on specially assigned military radio frequencies. with additional qualification, you may join nets serving TSA, FEMA, and other frontline government agencies.
If you previously served in the military, Army MARS offers a meeting ground for people with similar interests and experiences.
Army MARS members have the oportunity to take part in experimenting and testing the newest modes of communications.
Provide emergency communications in support of the Army, a Federal Agency or incident Commander is the ultimate test of operating skills and will give you satisfaction rarely found elsewhere in amateur radio.
To join you must:
- Be 17 years of age or older. The signature of a 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 radio license issued by the Federal Communications Commission.
- Possess a station capable of operating on MARS frequencies, which are outside the typical FCC-authorized amateur bands. Typical amateur transceivers require modification.
- Agree to operate a minimum of 15 hours per calendar quarter with 9 hours being on VHF and/or HF networks.
- Successfully complete the Army MARS basic training course
- Understand and accept that MARS is not a hobby; it’s a service to your country. Membership requires serious commitment to observe rules and requirements.
More about MARS:
For information about the Army MARS organization in your state, or to obtain a membership application, visit:
For a local contact regarding Army MARS in the Texas Panhandle area, contact Mike McGlynn, W5MJM
806-853-9460
W5MJM@hotmail.com
