About MARS > History of MARS Seal

By Robert L. Sutton,
Former Chief Army MARS

The Military Affiliate Radio System (MARS) seal or logo identifies a unique and prestigious organization that is recognized by military personnel and their families and loved ones around the globe.

Proudly, the MARS seal is used to display membership in MARS. The seal can be found on the jackets, hats and name tags worn by MARS members everywhere. It can be found on the walls of our radio rooms, our business cards and on the MARS radio license that is proudly displayed on the wall for all to see.

The origin of MARS, as we know it, dates back to 1925 when it was known as the Army Amateur Radio System (ARRS). The name was changed later to the Military Affiliate Radio System (MARS) in 1949.

In 1952, MARS included Air Force MARS as well as Army MARS. At that time, a call went out to all MARS members asking for submission of entries for a MARS seal or logo. The contest was open to all members with the stipulation that the seal design be circular in shape, representing the Army Signal Corps, Air Force Communications and Radio Communications in general. Eighty-seven entries were received from MARS members.

All proposed seals were carefully studied at MARS headquarters. The MARS chiefs finally narrowed the choice to seven. These were submitted to a joint MARS advisory committee. The chairman, Col. William D. Hamlin, appointed three members of the advisory committee to make a final selection. After several meetings and much study a composite, incorporating features of five proposed ideas, was recommended to the committee and adopted on April 7, 1953.

The resulting MARS seal is the composite of designs submitted by then Lt. Col. Philip Sansone, Pfc. Harold White, 2nd Lt. Robert Beremer, Staff Sgt, John Brewer, and Eugene Sydowski. In 1962, the Navy-Marine Corps MARS program was launched and the seal was modified to reflect that third entry and the concept of the joint services MARS program.

[Click on seal for larger downloadable image]

When I take a close look at the MARS seal the following is observed:

• It is our emblem, our banner and our "MARS flag" that we all are so rightly proud to share with the world.
• That its primary colors of red, white and blue came from a higher and more distinctive banner...the flag of the United States of America.
• The globe itself depicts the fact that MARS is expected to meet mission requirements around the globe...and MARS has proved year after year that it can.
• The radio tower and radio signals depict our primary mission and means for existence... "emergency communications"...via radio.
• The two gold bands encircling the globe and the seal indicate that MARS is precious, just as gold is recognized as a precious metal and that MARS morale and welfare messages as well as disaster relief support messages are precious to those who send and receive them.
• I consider the most important aspect of the MARS seal to be the words and stars that are encased within those two gold rings. I believe they represent the highly dedicated volunteer members, past and present, who are the "stars" of all three service MARS programs: Army, Air Force, and Navy-Marine Corps.
• As noted earlier, the seal evolved from the ideas of five individuals. There were two military officers, one noncommissioned officer, a private first class and a civilian. That mix of people working together represents the teamwork that remains a hallmark of MARS today.

This single MARS seal proudly lists all three MARS programs in a continuous circle representing the inter-service interoperability that provides the total team concept of today. This is what many of us believe is the future of MARS in the 21st century as we continue to support our country, our military and its citizens. The MARS seal represents an organization that remains "Proud, Professional and Ready."

NOTE: The MARS seal may be used to promote MARS and may be marketed on items such as shirts, hats, patches, stationary, etc. without payment or royalties to the US government. It may not be used in any manner that could disparage or discredit the United States of America, the DOD, any of its instrumentalities, or any of its personnel. This permission is revocable at any time, with or without cause.