If you read the rules for MARS operation, all it takes is for a commanding officer to apply for a license, no amateur radio license required. can be done through the mail.
Then set up the station and most anyone can operate it.
I would think that it would be operated by anyone that was not On Duty. Hence if they were able to communicate from their place in the world back to the USA that it would be of great benefit to anyone that had access to the station.
Since most average hams do not maintain a phone patch anymore and most phone conversations has been taken over by private cell phones and the internet - why even worry about the cost or the benefit of MARS.
Eventually all this Army stuff will fall by the wayside as the newer generations don't even know that it exists.
First off... A VAST MAJORITY of average hams today (or over the past century) have never owned a phone patch PERIOD, let alone "anymore".
A vast majority of average hams have never seen a need to own a phone patch as they were not interested in doing that type of operation or they would all have them gathering dust on the shelf.
The internet and easy access to cheap cell phones has lessened that phone patch activity.
NavMarCor MARS still maintains a phone patch net. It is a restricted net, access allowed to members who have station equipped for this duty. YES there are still a few dedicated hams/martians that do phone patches.

ps: What kind of call sign is HURRICAINE? Why post under an anonymous handle if you have a ham license? You do have a ham license?
73 de w8nsi/nnn0uzw jim