MARS is the acronym for Military Affiliate Radio System. Each military service has a MARS organization composed of licensed Amateur Radio operators specially trained to meet military protocols. MARS is DOD sponsored and serves as a backup communications system for the military, serves in emergency/disaster situations for all people, and provides MWR or "morale" services between military personnel and their loved ones. MARS services are FREE and are available in times of hostility and in times of peace. The services are available for military personnel who are stationed in the United States as well as those who are deployed overseas.
Two morale services are available -- phone patches and MARSgrams.
1. Phone Patches -
Phone patches, in which the military person can talk to a loved one directly via radio, can ONLY be made from the overseas deployed locations or active/reserve aircraft crews flying missions in or out of the United States. As well, the Army MARS stations overseas do not restrict its phone patch services to any one service. Any service person may go to an Army MARS station and use its services.
2. MARSgrams -
MARSgrams are messages which are relayed by means of various modes of communication. MARSgrams may be sent into cleared deployment areas, out from those areas, and freely within the United States. Send an ON-LINE MARSGRAM HERE!!
A. Protocols for MARSgrams -
B. Who can send or receive MARSgrams:
Either the sender or the recipient must be an active military
person (or deployed U.S. Government person). The active military
person may be in the United States or overseas. This includes:
· Active military personnel - all services
· Regular military personnel - all services
· National Guard personnel (new) - all services
· Reserve military personnel (new) - all services
· Retired military personnel (new) - all services
· Patients in VA Hospitals (new) - all services
These potential users of the MARSgram services are encouraged
to use the USAF or Army MARS system. Most Amateur Radio
Clubs have MARS personnel as members, or know who they are.
A local initial contact, the MARSGRAM e-mail service can be used by contacting:
http://www.qsl.net/aga4dy/holidaygram.html
C. Messages must be:
· Personal in nature -- not business
· No profanity, no security breaches, no initial notification of
death are permitted
· Typed in ALL CAPS (capital letters) throughout
· NO CREDIT CARD NUMBERS SHOULD BE IN COMMUNICATIONS TO OR VIA
AF or ARMY MARS
D. To insure that your message gets through, you MUST
follow these guidelines:
· Include sender's full name and mailing address in ALL CAPS
(capital letters), and means of reaching that person:
telephone
number or e-mail address
· Include recipient's full name, mailing address and Phone
number (DSN if available) in ALL CAPS.
· Keep message to 50 words or less; more than one message may be
sent at a time.
· CHECK BACK within 48 hours for e-mail in case more information
is needed.
· All of the above must be in ALL CAPS and in the order listed .
E. Send MARSgrams Via Overseas from NAVY/MARINE CORPS MARS
link - Send a MARSGRAM
Messages will go out from that station but any replies will
come back via a MARS operator in the immediate vicinity of the original sender. That local MARS operator can serve subsequent
needs or the sender may continue to use this link.
There are no limits as to the amount of MARSgrams you may send.
F. Send MARSgrams via NACEC -
You can also access the MARSGRAM service by going to the The
North American Center For Emergency Communications (NACEC)
webpage: http://www.nacec.org/
G. Send MARSgrams to Bosnia area -
Effective 5/14/96, MARSgrams are being accepted for Bosnia
with the following APO addresses:
· APO AE 09779 ZAGREB, CROATIA
· APO AE 09780 SARAJEVO, BOSNIA-HERZAGOVINA
· APO AE 09781 SPLIT, CROATIA
· APO AE 09782 KISELJAC, BOSNIA-HERZAGOVINA
· APO AE 09789 TUZLA, BOSNIA-HERZAGOVINA
· APO AE 09793 TASZAR, HUNGARY
ENJOY!!