The Military Auxiliary Radio System (M.A.R.S.) is a United States Department of Defense sponsored program, established as a separately managed and operated program by the US Army, and the US Air Force. The US Navy-Marine Corps program closed in 2015. The program is a civilian auxiliary consisting primarily of licensed amateur radio operators who are interested in assisting the military with communications on a regional and national level when access to traditional forms of communication may no longer be available.
MARS has a long history of providing worldwide auxiliary emergency communications during times of need. The combined two-service MARS programs (Army, and Air Force), volunteer force of over 3,000 dedicated and skilled amateur radio operators provide the backbone of the MARS program. The main benefit of MARS membership is enjoying the amateur radio hobby through an ever expanding horizon of MARS service to the nation.
MARS members work by the slogans “Proudly Serving Those Who Serve” and “Proud, Professional, and Ready.”