Pages: [1]   Go Down

Author Topic: Joining MARS  (Read 17049 times)

KC0LET

  • Member
  • Posts: 58
Joining MARS
« on: February 05, 2004, 12:22:39 AM »

I actually have several questions here.  First off, I am interested in joining Air Force MARS, and I was curious about the age limit. I know there is a long thread about this below, but I just want to be sure before I contact the region three officials where I live.

One part of the region three website lists the age limit as 17, and elsewhere it says 18.  I thought I would ask here before contacting the officals and sounding like a fool.

Second, I was listening to the primary USAF MARS phone patch freq. yesterday, and I heard a patch made to a DSN number.  I didn't think MARS stations had access to the DSN, I thought possibly the MARS station was on a base, as it doesn't seem like indivduals should have access to the DSN.  Just out of curiosity, could someone shed some light on this?

I don't know if you can discuss this, but I also am curious about how MARS callsigns work.  I see people listed with several callsigns. For example at this website http://www.grm.net/~w0lw/mars/officials.htm is a list of Region three officals, each with two callsigns. What is the purpose of all the different callsigns?

Thanks, Evan KC0LET
Logged

K3WVU

  • Member
  • Posts: 504
Joining MARS
« Reply #1 on: February 05, 2004, 01:28:05 PM »

Evan,

I'm with Navy/Marine Corps MARS, but the basics are the same in all of the services.  The requirements for joining MARS are as follows:

1.  Must be 18 years of age or older

2.  Must be a US Citizen or resident alien.

3.  Must possess a valid amateur radio license issued by the FCC or other competent US authority.

4.  Must possess a station capable of operating on MARS HF frequencies.

There are also minimum participation requirements, which are easy to meet.

I can't address your question regarding running a phone patch using DSN lines, but an important point you need to know is that the passing of morale and welfare traffic is a rapidly-diminishing mission of MARS.  The primary mission of MARS is now directed more toward the provision of Department of Defense sponsored emergency communications on a local, national, and international basis as an adjunct to normal communications.  In that respect, we are becoming more and more involved in homeland security, and have frequent training and ECOM drills to prepare for that mission.

Your final question is regarding callsigns.  MARS members can have multiple callsigns based on the positions they hold.  For instance, my basic MARS callsign is NNN0TPR.  I use that callsign to identify my station on our daily nets.  I also serve as the Northeast Area Assistant for Public Affairs/Newsletter, for which I am assigned the administrative callsign, NNN0ASI EIGHT.  That callsign is assigned to anyone who is in that particular position.  I sometimes use that callsign to identify myself on some area nets, or in correspondence.  It's a similar arrangement to the way the army, for instance, refers to it's staff functions (eg., G1-Personnel, G2-Intel, G3-Operations, etc.).

Hope this has helped.  If you have further questions, you can visit our website at http://www.navymars.org (links to the other services websites are there also), or you can e-mail me at nnn0asi8@navymars.org.

73

Dwight NNN0TPR/NNN0ASI EIGHT
Logged

KC0LET

  • Member
  • Posts: 58
Joining MARS
« Reply #2 on: February 05, 2004, 05:08:22 PM »

Dwight,

Thanks for your reply, it really helped clear things up.  I was hoping the age limit was 17, but I guess I will just have to wait until I'm 18.  

73,
Evan KC0LET
Logged

KC0LET

  • Member
  • Posts: 58
Joining MARS
« Reply #3 on: February 05, 2004, 05:43:28 PM »

I was just browsing the Army MARS website at http://www.asc.army.mil/mars/ .  It lists the age requirement at 17 with a parent signature.  Is this current information, or has the age been raised to 18 and this site has not been updated?  

If that site is correct, then I might join Army MARS instead.

73,
Evan KC0LET
Logged

N3SKO

  • Member
  • Posts: 69
    • homeURL
Joining MARS
« Reply #4 on: February 05, 2004, 10:40:18 PM »

Yes, the age is correct.  17 with parents signature.

73,
john
W3JKS/AAT3BF/AAM3O/AAA3DE/AAA9AC
Logged

K3WVU

  • Member
  • Posts: 504
Joining MARS
« Reply #5 on: February 05, 2004, 10:43:00 PM »

Evan,

I checked that out with some Army MARS info I have here, and I saw the same thing.  I also checked the Navy MARS regulation and website, and it still says age 18.

Hey, if the Army will let you in at 17, go for it!  It really doesn't matter which MARS branch you join.  MARS is always on the lookout for new, enthusiastic members, and you certainly seem to be enthusiastic.  If I can help you in any way, please let me know.

73

Dwight NNN0TPR/NNN0ASI EIGHT
Logged

WA4MJF

  • Member
  • Posts: 1003
Joining MARS
« Reply #6 on: February 06, 2004, 09:57:09 PM »

Yes, USAF MARS patch station have
DSN access and AMC runs more patches
through them than GHFS.  I know I listen
to both.

We Army patch stations don't have it and
I don't think the Navy does either.  That is
why our patch system is dead!  I'v even been called
to check in to the AF net to run Patch to
Bragg.

I also hear Navy aircraft running patches
on USAF Patch nets.  They are open to all
Armed Services, the Coast Guard and AC with
contracts to haul for AMC.

73 de Ronnie
AAR4LG
Logged

WA4MJF

  • Member
  • Posts: 1003
Joining MARS
« Reply #7 on: February 06, 2004, 10:00:45 PM »

The Army age difference may be because
you can join the Regular Army, Army Reserve
or Army National Guard at 17 with parent's
permission.

It would be kinda silly not to let a 17 year ole
join MARS with his parents permission.

73 de Ronnie
AAR4LG
40 Years and going sssslllloowwww  :-)
Logged

W8TRW

  • Member
  • Posts: 0
Joining MARS
« Reply #8 on: February 19, 2004, 08:29:20 AM »

Apparently the folks at Ohio Army MARS must have reached there membership quota as I have not received any email response from them regarding membership. I have emailed two different MARS members requesting information about MARS groups in my area.

If there are any Ohio Army MARS members that monitor this thread, I would appreciate some info...

73's de Al/W8AII
Logged

K3WVU

  • Member
  • Posts: 504
Joining MARS
« Reply #9 on: February 19, 2004, 11:23:57 AM »

Have you gone to their National website?

If not, go to http://www.asc.army.mil/mars/join.htm
and either e-mail or write them.  When I joined MARS, I e-mailed all three services MARS for info.  Navy Mars responded very quickly, so I joined.  Air Force MARS was second, and Army MARS arrived third.  Your communication is routed from the National HQ to the state director in Ohio.  You will be snail-mailed application forms and info.

I guess what I am saying is:  Patience, young man!

Good luck.
Dwight NNN0TPR/NNN0ASI EIGHT
Logged

K8CAV

  • Member
  • Posts: 6
Joining MARS
« Reply #10 on: February 19, 2004, 11:53:07 AM »

Ohio Army MARS is alive and well and most definitely looking for new members who want to volunteer to serve our emergency communications mission. If you have questions or would like to apply for membership you can contact myself at rick.kruis@us.army.mil or our State MARS Director Norm Bash at aar5aq@cros.net and we'll be more than happy to help! Thanks!
Logged

W8TRW

  • Member
  • Posts: 0
Joining MARS
« Reply #11 on: February 19, 2004, 09:05:58 PM »

Norm Bash (AAR5AQ@cros.net) is one of the email addresses who failed to respond...
Logged
Pages: [1]   Go Up