Washington State Army MARS - How to Join Army MARS
 
 
How to Join US Army MARS
 

US Army MARS How to JOIN Washington State Army Military Affiliate Radio System (MARS).

The Military Affiliate Radio System (MARS) is an organization of FCC licensed Amateur radio operators who work with military stations for the furthering of professional communications and electronics. Washington State Army MARS is part of US Army MARS.

If you wish to join US Army MARS in Washington State, the information further down this page will assist you in preparing your application.

The primary function of U.S. Army Military Affiliate Radio System members is the passing of emergency management traffic for state, local and federal agencies. We also pass health and welfare traffic (MARSgrams) between members of the Armed Forces and their families. There are over 4,000 civilian members (all of them Amateur Radio operators) donating time and equipment to the Army MARS program. During recent national emergency communications exercises, the majority of the stations checking into the HF radio nets were MARS stations (Army, Air Force and Navy/Marine Corps MARS).

Approximately 200 Army MARS stations are chosen to support the National Communications System's SHARES (SHAred RESources) project. The SHARES network consists of stations operated by a number of Federal agencies (Depts of Defense, Energy, Justice, Treasury, FEMA,NDMS), some state emergency management agencies and a number of other telecommunications companies (such as AT&T, MCI, Sprint, the Regional Bell Operating Companies, etc.). The SHARES network operates voice and data networks on a number of HF (2-30 MHz) frequencies using HF Automatic Link Establishment, Pactor and Amtor technology.

MARS furnishes a means of training members in the use of military communications procedures. It is a means of developing a potential reserve of trained radio communication personnel as auxiliary communicators for Military and Civil emergency communications. MARS operators through their military communication procedures provide the Department of Defense a pool of operators for local, national and international communication alternatives.

While many view MARS as a telegram service for Johnny over in Germany, MARS uses these MARSgrams primarily for practice to refine their skills as radio operators and of course to keep Johnny's family in contact with him. These skills play a critical role in Homeland Security, emergency communications support, and community service.


MARS MEMBERSHIP ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

General Instructions:
  1. Any MARS member may only be a current member of one service MARS program (Army, Air Force, or Navy-Marine Corps) at a time. Military commands or activities will affiliate with their sponsoring service MARS unless operating in areas where there is only one service MARS authorized.

  2. There are four types of memberships within Army MARS. Individual, club station, and military unit memberships are designated for radio operations. Auxiliary membership is designated for non-operators who perform a support function.
Individual MARS membership:
  1. Requirements. MARS membership is limited to individuals who meet all of the following criteria:

    1. Seventeen years of age or older. Signature of parent or guardian is required on the Application for Membership when an applicant is under 18 years of age.

    2. Citizen of the United States or aliens who have been lawfully admitted to the United States for permanent residence under the provisions of United States Code, Chapter 12, Title 8.

    3. Willingness to comply with the regulations prescribed for participation in the Army MARS program.

    4. Access to a radio station capable of operating on HF or VHF MARS frequencies.

    5. A valid FCC license and, if outside of the continental US (OCONUS), a host country amateur radio operator license.

  2. Membership period. Individual membership is granted for the period covered by the member’s current FCC or host nation amateur radio license.

  3. Membership application.

    1. The Application for Individual Membership will be used by applicants. Applications will be submitted through the state MARS director to the MARS Membership Administrator. Two copies of the applicant’s current FCC and/or host nation amateur license must be included with the application. New members will be admitted on a probationary basis, pending completion of the Army MARS Basic Training Course. The expectation is that probationary members will complete the Basic Training Course in six months or less. Former MARS members eligible to rejoin the Army MARS program will also be required to take the Army MARS Basic Training Course.

    2. Upon approval, the Membership Administrator will issue the new member an Army MARS call sign and other instructional and informational material. New members will be issued a letter license initially, with a certificate issued after completion of Basic Training.

MARS Club Station membership:
  1. Requirements. Civilian and military club station participation is limited to clubs that meet the following:

    1. The club must have at least three members who are individual Army MARS members.

    2. One of the MARS members will be designated as custodian.

    3. The club station custodian must ensure that radio operators are properly trained and the station is equipped to actively participate in the MARS program.

    4. For military club stations, the requesting authority will be the sponsoring Unit Commander.

  2. Membership period. Club licenses are issued for five years.

  3. Membership application. The Application for Individual Membership will be used by applicants. Applications will be submitted through the state director to the area coordinator of the geographical area in which the applicant is located.

MEMBER RESPONSIBILITIES AND REQUIREMENTS:
  • Complete the Basic Training course within 6 months of receiving the training materials and temporary call sign (Callsign/T).

  • Individual and club station members must meet a minimum of 12 participation hours in MARS activities every 90 days to retain licensed membership (6 of those hours must be on-the-air participation).

  • Submit to the state director a monthly Participation Report documenting time spent in support of MARS.

  • Comply with MARS rules, regulations, and procedures as specified in the MARS SOP (also know as DA PAM 25-XX).

  • Conduct only official business on all MARS frequencies and nets.

THE US ARMY MARS APPLICATION - DOWNLOAD AND PROCESS

If you meet the requirements (above) and wish to join US Army MARS, in Washington State:
  1. Download the following two PDF files:

    1. Instructions for filling out the US Army MARS Application Form

    2. the US Army MARS Application Form

  2. Print out the US Army MARS Application Form.

  3. Fill out the Form in accordance with the Instructions.

  4. Send the completed Form, plus the supporting documents listed in the Instructions, to:
    Washington State Army MARS Director
    Owen Ticknor, AAA0WA
    6909 35th Ave. SE
    Lacey, WA 98503

Benefits of Membership in MARS

  • 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 affiliated 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.

  • Participate in the MARS Excess/Surplus Property Program after 6 months active membership. Issue of Government excess/surplus equipment is based on availability, of equipment, and possible assigned mission of individual activity. The granting of MARS membership to an individual or activity does not in itself convey an automatic right or entitlement of the recipient to receive or demand MARS property.