• General. Army MARS members need a basic understanding of the different types of Army MARS membership, the call sign system used, participation requirements and reporting, and membership responsibilities and actions.
  
  
• Most membership action requests submitted to the Army MARS Headquarters staff are acknowledged and confirmed by letter, however, minor modifications to the member database (postal/e-mail address, telephone number changes for example) do not receive formal acknowledgment.
  
  
• Action requests that result in both a confirmation letter and a new MARS license include membership renewal, completion of the Basic Training Course, and transfer actions for members moving from one region to another. Note that MARS individual membership license expiration dates are based on FCC Amateur Radio license expiration dates so it is important to request a MARS license renewal when the expiration date changes on your FCC license. A signed copy of the FCC license must accompany all membership applications.
  
  
• Membership Requirements. The requirements associated with maintaining membership in the Army MARS program include complying with member responsibilities identified in the Army MARS SOP, participation and reporting, maintaining a current Amateur Radio Service license, maintaining radio station capability requirements, and successfully completing required training.

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 MARS stations in Japan, Korea, the Trust Territories, Hawaii, the Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, Central America, Alaska, Germany, Africa, and the continental United States.

Increase your communications skills and capabilities. Selected correspondence courses in communications - electronics subjects are available free to MARS members from their respective affiliated service after completion of six months active membership. Qualified Army MARS members may apply for such courses at the Army Correspondence Course Program website.

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.

Gain a feeling of being associated with a military mission and contributing to the welfare and preparedness of the nation.

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

Participate in the MARS Excess/Surplus Property Program after 6 months active membership. Issue of Government excess/surplus equipment is based on availability, of equipment, and possible assigned mission of individual activity. The granting of MARS membership to an individual or activity does not in itself convey an automatic right or entitlement of the recipient to receive or demand MARS property.

There are four types of membership:

Individual Membership: A privately owned VHF and/or HF radio station, licensed by the FCC and/or host authority, operated by an individual who is a member of and licensed by Army MARS.

Club Membership: A radio station licensed in MARS that is established, operated, and maintained by volunteers under the auspices of a properly constituted military and/or civilian amateur radio club.

Auxiliary Membership: Auxiliary membership is designated for non-operators who perform a support function. To view a presentation outlining this type membership CLICK HERE.

Military Unit Membership: Military unit MARS stations are operated and maintained under the auspices of a military command, and are authorized on the table of distribution and allowances/table of organization and equipment (TDA/TOE). Military station categories include active Army, Reserves, National Guard, and Corps of Engineers.