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Author Topic: which is the more active MARS program ?  (Read 4796 times)

K3JIM

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which is the more active MARS program ?
« on: February 06, 2005, 06:29:11 AM »

I was a member of ARMY MARS in the mid 60's and thought I would like to affiliate again with either the Army or Navy MARS program. I know that they both probably have their proponents and detractors but on a more objective level.
Which one has more members generally ?
In PA ?
Which provides the best training ?
Which has a more "real" emergency communications role?
Other factors ?
I appeciate any guidance I have both applications ready to go and haven't decided which to submit. Thanks for any help you may give.


Jim Walsh
K3JIM
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N3ZKP

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which is the more active MARS program ?
« Reply #1 on: February 06, 2005, 11:16:49 AM »

Jim,

Boy, you do know how to start a dog fight! <gg>

<< Which one has more members generally ? >>

For any given area Army MARS probably has more members on the books than Navy-Marine Corps MARS. How that translates to actual active members I don't know.

<< Which provides the best training ? >>

I would think the training programs are very similar. The real question is how good is the training in the area you live. I can't speak for Army MARS, but NAVMARCORMARS training in Pennsylvania is some of the best in the NorthEast.

<< Which has a more "real" emergency communications role? >>

The roles are identical for both services, actually for all three services. The primary mission for MARS now is support to DoD, state governments, local governments, and (occasionally) NGO served agencies, in that order.

 << I appeciate any guidance I have both applications ready to go and haven't decided which to submit. Thanks for any help you may give. >>

I'm sure Bill, NNN0GCP, the State Director for Pennsylvania, will be more than happy to talk to you and to receive your application. If you would like his email address, contact me and I'll be happy to supply it.

73

Lon, NNN0OOR / NNN0GAW ONE MDE
Proudly serving those who serve

PS - I feel sure you'll be hearing from the Army MARS guys, too. :)
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W4JBB

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which is the more active MARS program ?
« Reply #2 on: February 11, 2005, 03:34:32 AM »

I am active in AL Army MARS.  Regarding training in this state, "Training is not something we do, it's what we do."  I listen to some nets and there is no training (or at least very little).  I listen to other nets and training lasts the entire net.

I have not checked into any Navy-MC nets in this region so I cannot truthfully say how they operate in AL.

The main reason I joined Army MARS (a year ago this April) is that I am an AL National Guard Soldier too.  I can get points toward my retirement from "on air" participation in MARS (probably not *just* Army MARS), but I wanted to affiliate with my most relevant branch.  I thought a long time about joining Navy-MC MARS as I was in the Marines from 1986 - 1990, but I have been in the Guard off and on since 1990.

Something else, I have *heard* that eventually we may all be one big happy MARS family anyway.  Again, this is nothing official, just scuttlebutt.  Our missions are identical as far as I can tell as far as supporting DoD, FEMA, and Homeland Defense.

Any affiliation you choose will, in my opinion, greatly increase your pleasure in radio.

GL es 73,
Joel, W4JBB/AAV4WA
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N3ZKP

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which is the more active MARS program ?
« Reply #3 on: February 11, 2005, 05:26:01 AM »

<< Something else, I have *heard* that eventually we may all be one big happy MARS family anyway. Again, this is nothing official, just scuttlebutt. >>

There is no substance to this runor. There are no plans to merge the three MARS branches.

73

Lon, NNN0OOR / NNN0GAW ONE MDE
Proudly serving those who serve
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K3WVU

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which is the more active MARS program ?
« Reply #4 on: April 15, 2005, 03:44:44 PM »

PA has a VERY active Navy MARS organization and we would be happy to have you as a member.  E-mail me at NNN0TPR@NAVYMARS.ORG for further info.

Dwight NNN0TPR/NNN0ASI EIGHT
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