About MARS > Official Sponsorship

The Military Affiliate Radio System (MARS) is an official Department of Defense and Department of the Army sponsored communications system. Therefore, it has official status, is assigned missions and functions, and authorized the use of assigned military radio frequencies.

Army MARS is directed and managed by the Department of the Army through the United States Network Enterprise Technology Command/9th Signal Command (Army) and is a world-wide organization. It is comprised of both military and civilian personnel. In fact, the majority are civilian volunteers. Each volunteer Army MARS member, with the exception of military, is required to hold a valid Amateur Radio license from the Federal Communications Commission. These volunteers are under no service obligation, but must meet a 12-hour per calendar quarter minimum participation requirement. A volunteer may resign from Army MARS at any time without difficulty or prejudice by simply submitting a written resignation.