THE US ARMY MARS 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.

       HISTORY OF ARMY MARS

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 Affiliate 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.

       BENEFITS OF 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 Army MARS
stations in Japan, Korea, Hawaii, the Virgin
Islands, Puerto Rico, Alaska, Germany, and the
continental United States.

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.

Participate in regulated, disciplined radio nets with
structured lines of organization and
very specific operating rules.



          APPLICATION FOR NORTH CAROLINA
                 ARMY MARS MEMBERSHIP
About Army MARS
Latest North Carolina
Army MARS News
NORTH CAROLINA ARMY MARS
New North Carolina Army
MARS Members are required
to have 10 hours on the air
each month during their
training.  For the rest of us,
lets check into as many nets
as possible.  Practice,
Practice, and Practice.
The latest news and Alerts
will be posted here.  Make
sure that your email spam
filter is not set too high that
you will not get any North
Carolina Army MARS email.  
Every MARS Member need to
be on Winlink.
ZULU
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