Jim,
<< Does MARS have a simple and concise mission statement? What is it if it exist? I remember MARS from 35 years ago and obviously it has gone in a different direction. >>
I don't know about a mission statement, but the mission HAS changed from 35 years ago. For the most part, there is no longer the crying need for phone patches and MARSgrams, although these are still done on an infrequent basis. The primary mission of all three branches is communications support to the DoD, state governments, local governments and selected NGOs, in that order. BTW, this has all been said several times already in this forum.
<<How does one actually get into MARS. I tryed to join about a year ago and was caught in a typical catch 22. I was sent an application to complete. It said I had to have 12 hours of training before getting a call sign and it had to be on a net. But, they forgot to tell me where and how to find the nets....something about local nets frequencies vary. But, no place to find the frequencies. >>
Did you return the application? If not, no wonder you had no further contact. If you did, what happened after you returned the application? Did you make any follow-up contact?
With all due respect, I am sure you were not told you had to complete the training BEFORE you received a call sign. One of the first things that happens after your application is accepted and processed is a call sign is assigned to you and you are notified of this fact, along with the times and frequency(s) of your local state or area net(s). I am unaware of any procedure other than this.
If it did indeed happen as you suggest, then someone dropped the ball. What MARS branch and what state are you referring to?
<<(BTW, how do I check in without a call sign?) >>
You don't. Without a MARS call sign you have no legal authority to transmit on MARS frequencies.
I am sure any of the branches would be happy to have you as a member.
73
Lon, NNN0OOR / NNN0GAW ONE MDE
Proudly serving those who serve