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*The ARRL reports that, effective 23 December 2009, the Military Auxiliary Radio System replaces the Military Affiliate Radio System.

A Department of Defense Instruction details changes and requirements of the new organization.

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The Military Auxiliary Radio System (MARS) is a United States Department of Defense sponsored program, established as a separately managed and operated program by the United States Army, Navy, and Air Force. The program is a civilian auxiliary consisting primarily of licensed amateur radio operators who are interested in assisting the military with communications on a local, national, and international basis as an adjunct to normal communications. The MARS programs also include active duty, reserve, and National Guard units; Navy and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration ships, and Coast Guard cutters and shore stations.

MARS has a long history of providing worldwide auxiliary emergency communications during times of need. The combined three-service MARS programs (Army, Air Force, and Navy-Marine Corps) volunteer force of over 5,000 dedicated and skilled amateur radio operators provide the backbone of the MARS program. Their main benefit of MARS membership is enjoying the amateur radio hobby through an ever-expanding horizon of MARS service to the nation. MARS members work by the slogan "Proud, Professional, and Ready".

HISTORY

The organization that led to the Military Affiliate Radio System was called the Army Amateur Radio System (AARS). AARS was created in November 1925 by a few dedicated pioneers in the United States Army Signal Corps led by Captain Thomas C. Rives. His original intent was to enlist the talents of volunteer amateur radio operators as a ready source who could train soldiers in the then new technology of radio, as well as pursuing radio research and development to improve radio equipment within the Army. In addition, this support would be particularly useful during the mobilization of forces by providing a pool of already trained radio operators. Their efforts were very successful, and the present-day MARS program is the direct descendant of the work of those early pioneers.

Between 1925 and 1941, the AARS continued to operate and functioned more or less as an extracurricular activity for members of the Army Signal Corps, with its scope limited by budget cuts during the Great Depression. The AARS organization continued to operate until the United States entry into World War II on 7 December 1941, at which time radio amateurs were denied the use of the airwaves; both the amateur service and the Army Amateur Radio System were deactivated. Following World War II, the U.S. Army recognized the great importance of reactivating the AARS to train vitally needed communications personnel at a relatively low direct cost to the government, and in 1946 the AARS was reactivated. The AARS functioned as such until the creation of the Military Amateur Radio System in November 1948 with the establishment of separate Army and Air Force MARS programs, reflecting the creation of the Air Force as a separate service. The program's name was changed to the current Military Affiliate Radio System on 2 September 1952, in recognition of the organization's changing nature with the growing number of civilian volunteer members. Eventually, the Navy-Marine Corps MARS program was established officially on 17 August 1962, and began operations on 1 January 1963. This followed on the heels of the Cuban Missile Crisis and President Kennedy's concern for viable and extended communications capabilities.

During the Korean War, Vietnam War and Gulf War, MARS was most known for its handling of "Marsgram" written messages and providing "phone patches" to allow overseas servicemen to contact their families at home.

MARS continues to be very active today. Its primary mission is providing auxiliary to the US Military and emergency communications to such National agencies as FEMA and Homeland Security. MARS is also available to assist state, and local emergency response agencies; both public and select private agencies, such as the Red Cross.

On a day-to-day basis MARS members are available to handle messages to and from service men and women: active duty, reserve, guard, or retired and certain employees of the federal government who are stationed outside the U.S.

Effective 23 December-2009, the Military Auxiliary Radio System replaces the Military Affiliate Radio System.

MISSIONS

Military Auxiliary Radio System provides Department of Defense sponsored emergency communications on a local, national, and international basis. MARS also provides auxiliary communications for military, federal, civil, and/or disaster officials during periods of emergency. They assist the military and other organizations in effecting normal communications under emergency conditions. One major mission that MARS has had for many years is to handle morale, welfare, and official record and voice communications traffic for Armed Forces and authorized U.S. Government civilian personnel stationed throughout the world. MARS establishes programs to create civilian interest, recruit qualified volunteers, and furnish training in military communications, techniques, and procedures. Every year, MARS conducts an appropriate military and amateur radio cross-band exercise as an integral part of the annual Armed Forces Day. They provide a reserve of personnel trained in military radio communications, techniques, and procedures as well as to initiate efforts to improve radio-operating techniques. MARS members test state-of-the-art technology through experimentation and testing.

ARMED FORCES DAY CROSSBAND TEST

MARS celebrates Armed Forces Day annually with a traditional military to amateur crossband communications test and a message-receiving test. These tests give amateur radio operators and shortwave listeners an opportunity to demonstrate their individual technical skills and receive recognition from the Secretary of Defense or the appropriate military radio station for their proven expertise. A QSL card is provided to those making contact with one of the military stations. Special commemorative certificates are awarded to anyone who receives and accurately copies the digital Armed Forces Day message from the Secretary of Defense.

Participating military stations transmit on selected military MARS frequencies and listen for amateur radio stations in the amateur bands. The military station operator will announce the specific amateur-band frequency being monitored. Usually, the military MARS stations are at places such as Fort Detrick, Fort Huachuca, Andrews Air Force Base, and Nellis Air Force Base.

MARS TODAY

The Military Auxiliary Radio System is just as active today as it ever was. Morale and welfare messages are no longer the largest activity in MARS due to the increased use of the Internet and e-mail by deployed military personnel. MARS now has an increased role in providing interoperability communications between Army National Guard and Air National Guard forces and civilian state agencies. MARS also provides beta testing of new technologies such as Voice over Internet Protocol and antennas.

MARS participates in exercises such as Grecian Firebolt to help support military communications. MARS members from all around the world played a role in Grecian Firebolt 2005 by sending exercise Essential Elements of Information (EEI) reports through the MARS radio network. The EEI's consisted of scenario disaster information. When the EEI's were received, they were sorted and sent to Army Military Intelligence centers. MARS plays a large part in reporting up-to-date information on disasters and requesting military assistance using a dispersed and redundant radio network.

MARS also supports government agencies such as the Federal Emergency Management Agency, and participates in programs such as SHAred RESources (SHARES)

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U.S. ARMY MILITARY AFFILIATE RADIO SYSTEM

We are headquartered at Fort Huachuca, Arizona, and assigned to the Headquarters, United States Army Network Enterprise Technology Command/9th Signal Command (Army) (NETCOM/9th SC(A)), which directly reports to the Department of the Army's Chief Information Officer/G-6.

MARS is a Department of Defense sponsored program, established as a separately managed and operated program by the Army, Navy, and Air Force. The program consists of licensed amateur radio operators who are interested in military communications on a local, national, and international basis as an adjunct to normal communications.

MARS has a long and proud history of providing world-wide auxiliary emergency communications during times of need. The combined three service MARS programs (Army, Air Force, and Navy-Marine Corps) volunteer force of over 5,000 dedicated and skilled amateur radio operators is the backbone of the MARS program. The benefit of MARS membership is enjoying an amateur radio hobby through the ever-expanding horizon of MARS. Our affiliate members' continued unselfish support of our mission keeps Army MARS Proud, Professional, and Ready.

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AFCA - MARS

AIR FORCE COMMUNICATIONS AGENCY

The Air Force MARS office is located at the Headquarters, Air Force Communications Agency, Scott AFB, Illinois. This office is a headquarters staff function, serving as the primary point of contact, systems manager, and focal point for all matters pertaining to Air Force MARS activities, functions and management initiatives in support of DOD objectives. Governing directives for Air Force MARS: Air Force Instruction (AFI) 33-106, Managing High Frequency Radios, Land mobile Radios, Cellular Telephones, and the Military Auxiliary Radio System; Department of Defense Directive (DoDD) 4650.2, Military Auxiliary Radio System.

The Chief of MARS is responsible for the dissemination of policies, procedures and directives concerning administration, operations, training, frequency management, equipment and logistical matters for the worldwide USAF MARS program. Represents HQ AF, HQ AFCA, Air Force MAJCOMs, and FOAs interests at meetings and conferences at the Joint Services MARS Panel, Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for command, control, communications and intelligence (OASD/C3I), National Communications System (NCS - SHARES), Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), and other federal, national and state entities.

Administers to an affiliate volunteer population of approximately 1,300 members. Coordinates closely with the AF Frequency Management Agency. Maintains an active liaison with the Army and Navy-Marine Corps MARS Chiefs. Promotes Air Force and public interest in MARS and amateur radio.

 
The point of contact for all USAF MARS matters is:
HQ AFCA (MARS)
203 West Losey Street, Room 3100
Scott AFB IL 62225-5222
usaf.mars@scott.af.mil 

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