Army Mars Basic Training Course Form – Fill Out and Use This PDF

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CHANGE PAGE

Changes of issue for original and changed pages are:

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2.RETAIN THIS NOTICE AND INSERT BEFORE TABLE OF CONTENTS.

3.Holders of R4M 3-200 will verify that page changes and additions indicated above have been entered. This notice page will be retained as a check sheet. This issuance, together with appended pages, is a separate publication. Each notice is to be retained by the stocking points until the standard is completely revised of canceled.

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FORWARD

This manual is designed as an interim supplement to the US Army MARS Basic Training Course. It is written and designed to provide a comprehensive general overview of Army MARS operational and training information for the new Army MARS member as well as provide a reference source for the general membership. The manual also provides evaluation sections whereby new members can complete the written portion of their initial training requirements. The Region 4 Army MARS Basic Training Course includes revisions and procedural changes implemented since the issuance of the Army MARS Basic Training Course Manual: AM 3-200, Version 2.2.

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		CONTENTS
1 GENERAL INFORMATION		............................................................................................ 1-9
1.1	WELCOME	1-9
1.2	HISTORY	1-9
1.3	MARS MISSION	1-9
1.4	DEFINITIONS	1-10

	1.4.1		Contingency radio communications support:	1-10
	1.4.2		Military auxiliary:	1-10
	1.4.3		Defense Support of Civil Authorities:	1-10
	1.5	RELATIONSHIP WITH AMATEUR RADIO		1-11
	1.6	BASIC TRAINING PROGRAM		1-11
	1.7	GRADUATION		1-12
2	MEMBERSHIP			1-14
	2.1	MEMBERSHIP TYPES		1-14
	2.1.1		Military Unit	1-14
	2.1.2		Agency	1-14
	2.1.3		Club Station	1-14
	2.1.4		Individual	1-14
	2.2	MEMBERSHIP PERIOD		1-14
	2.3	MEMBERSHIP REQUIREMENTS		1-14
	2.3.1		Age and Citizenship	1-15
	2.3.2		Amateur Radio License	1-15
	2.3.3		Training and FEMA Courses	1-15
	2.3.4		Internet Access	1-15
	2.3.5		Equipment	1-15
	2.3.6		Participation Requirement	1-15
	2.3.7		Station Logs	1-17
	2.3.8		Exercises or Actual Incidents	1-17
	2.3.9		Reporting Requirements	1-17
	2.3.10		Calculating Participation Credit	1-17
	2.4	ASSESSMENT		1-18
3	ORGANIZATION AND ADMINISTRATION			1-19
	3.1	COMMAND AUTHORITY		1-19
	3.2	ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE		1-19
	3.2.1		HQ Army MARS Organization	1-19
	3.2.2		Region Organization	1-21
	3.2.3		State Organizations	1-22
	3.3	CHAIN OF COMMAND		1-22
	3.4	ASSESSMENT		1-23
4	PROFESSIONAL STANDARDS			1-25
	4.1	INDIVIDUAL AND PROFESSIONAL CREDIBILITY		1-25
	4.1.1		Conduct	1-25
	4.1.2		Organizational Credibility	1-26
	4.1.3		Professional Image	1-26
	4.2	CLASSIFICATION AND RELEASE OF DOCUMENTS		1-28
	4.2.1		For Official Use Only (U/FOUO)	1-28
	4.2.2		Personally Identifiable Information (PII)	1-29
	4.2.3		Tactics, Techniques and Procedures (TT&P)	1-29
	4.2.4		Distribution and Dissemination of Sensitive Materials	1-30

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	4.3	OPERATIONS SECURITY (OPSEC)		1-31
	4.4	ASSESSMENT		1-33
5	TECHNICAL STANDARDS			1-34
	5.1	CONFORMANCE WITH RULES		1-34
	5.1.1 Narrow and Wide FM			1-34
	5.1.2 Selection of radio equipment			1-35
	5.2	FREQUENCY TUNING		1-36
	5.2.1 Sideband Selection and Expression of Frequencies			1-37
	5.3	DIGITAL COMMUNICATIONS		1-37
	5.4	TRANSMISSION POWER LIMITATIONS		1-37
	5.4.1		HF Power Limitations	1-38
	5.4.2		VHF Power Limitations	1-38
	5.5	ASSESSMENT		1-39
6	MILITARY COMMUNICATIONS			1-41
	6.1	FUNDAMENTALS OF MILITARY COMMUNICATIONS		1-41
	6.2	MINIMIZE		1-41
	6.3	MILITARY CLOCK AND ZULU TIME		1-42
	6.3.1		Date	1-42
	6.3.2 Date Time Group (DTG)			1-42
	6.4	PHONETIC ALPHABET		1-42
	6.5	STATION AND ADDRESS DESIGNATORS		1-43
	6.5.1		Call Signs	1-44
	6.5.2		Plain Language Address (PLA)	1-45
	6.5.3		Routing Indicators (RI)	1-46
	6.6	ARMY MARS CALL SIGN USE		1-46
	6.7	OTHER MARS SERVICE/AGENCY CALL SIGN SYSTEMS		1-47
	6.7.1		Air Force	1-47
	6.7.2		Navy/Marine Corps	1-47
	6.7.3		Other Agency Call Signs	1-47
	6.8	MARS FREQUENCY DESIGNATORS		1-48
	6.9	ASSESSMENT		1-49
7	PROCEDURES			1-50
	7.1	STANDARDIZATION OF OPERATIONS		1-50
	7.2	BASIC VOICE PROCEDURES		1-50
	7.2.1		Making a Call	1-50
	7.2.2		Procedure Words (pro-words)	1-51
	7.2.3		Rules for Spelling	1-52
	7.2.4		Rules for Figures	1-53
	7.2.5 Rules for Groups and Mixed Groups			1-53
	7.2.6		Abbreviations	1-54
	7.3	BASIC TELETYPE PROCEDURES		1-54
	7.3.1		Transmission Beginning	1-55
	7.3.2 Time of Transmission Indicator			1-55
	7.3.3		Transmission Ending	1-55
	7.3.4		Calling	1-55
	7.3.5		Answering	1-55
	7.3.6		Testing Circuits	1-56
	7.3.7		Procedure Signs (pro-signs)	1-56
	7.4	REFERENCE MATERIALS		1-57
	7.5	ASSESSMENT		1-58
8	NETWORK OPERATIONS			1-59

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8.1 NET CONTROL STATION (NCS)		1-59
8.2 NET OPERATION		1-59
8.2.1	Directed and Free Nets	1-60
8.2.2	Abbreviated and Full Procedures	1-60
8.2.3	Net Opening	1-61
8.2.4	Net Check-In	1-61
8.2.5	Late Check In	1-62
8.2.6	Acknowledging Station Check-ins	1-62
8.2.7	ANCS Assignment	1-63
8.2.8	Net Call Up for Additional Stations	1-63
8.2.9	Checking for Relays	1-64
8.2.10	Net Roster	1-65
8.2.11	Delegating and Assuming Net Control	1-65
8.2.12	Signal Reporting	1-65
8.2.13	Directing a Shift in Frequency	1-66
8.2.14	Traffic Relay	1-67

8.2.15Correcting Messages During Transmission…………………………………………………………...1-70

8.2.16Repetitions ……………………………………………………………………………………………….1-70

8.2.17Leaving/returning to a Net………………………………………………………………………………1-70

8.2.18Free Net…………………………………………………………………………………………………..1-71

8.2.19End of Scheduled Net Activity / Net Closing………………………………………………………….1-71

8.3	ASSESSMENT		1-73
9 MESSAGES			1-75
9.2	ACP MESSAGES		1-75
9.2.1		Message Serial Number	1-75
9.2.2		Message Types	1-75
9.2.3		Addresses of Messages	1-77
9.2.4		Message Precedence	1-77
9.2.5		Drafting the Text	1-78
9.2.6		USMTF	1-79
9.2.7		Message Format	1-79
9.3	MESSAGE SCHEMATIC		1-80
9.4	PRINCIPAL OPERATING METHODS FOR TRANSMITTING MESSAGES		1-84
9.5	SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS		1-85
9.5.1		Acknowledgements	1-85
9.5.2		Confirmation of Delivery	1-85
9.5.3		Exercise Communications	1-85
9.6	FACTORS THAT AFFECT MESSAGE RELAY		1-86
9.6.1		Reliability:	1-86
9.6.2		Speed of Transmission:	1-86
9.7	OTHER AGENCY MESSAGE REFILE PROCEDURES		1-87
9.8	ASSESSMENT		1-88
10	PRACTICAL EXERCISES (INDIVIDUAL MEMBERS)		1-89

IMPROVEMENTS

Suggested corrections, or changes to this document, should be submitted through your State Director to the Regional Director. Any Changes will be made by the National documentation team.

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DISTRIBUTION

Distribution is limited to the Department of Defense, U.S. Government agencies and authorized Army MARS members. Publication on the Internet or other public access electronic bulletin boards is strictly prohibited.

This document contains operational information, parts of which are For Official Use Only. Requests from outside the U.S. Government for release of this publication under the Freedom of Information Act or the Foreign Military Sales Program must be made to:

COMMANDER, NETCOM/9th SC (A)

ATTN: NETC-PE

2133 Cushing St.

Fort Huachuca, AZ 85613-7070

VERSIONS

The Versions are designated in the footer of each page if no version number is designated the version is considered to be 1.0 or the original issue. Documents may have pages with different versions designated; if so verify the versions on the “Change Page” at the beginning of each document.

REFERENCES:

The following references apply to this manual:

1.DoDI 4650.02 – Military Auxiliary Radio System

2.AR 25-6 - Military Auxiliary Radio System (MARS)

3.Combined Communications Electronics Board, Allied Communication Publications:

ACP-121 - Communications Instructions - General

ACP-125 - Communications Instructions - Radio Telephone Procedures

ACP-126 - Communications Instructions - Teletypewriter (Teleprinter) Procedures

ACP-127 F and ACP-127 annex G

ACP-127 US SUPP-1(K)

ACP-131 - Communications Instructions - Operating Signals

ACP-167 – Glossary of Communications – Electronics Terms

4.FM 24-19 – Radio Operators Handbook

5.FM 6-02.53 - Tactical Radio Operations

6.AM 2-200 - Army MARS Net Plan

7.JM 2-203 Joint MARS Routing Indicators

8.AM 2-310 – Army MARS Reports

9.Stafford Act - 42 U.S.C. 5185, 42 U.S.C. 5170b

10.AM 1 This is ARMY MARS

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1GENERAL INFORMATION

1.1 WELCOME

The U.S. Army Military Auxiliary Radio System (ARMARS) is an elite group of dedicated citizen volunteers who support a Global High Frequency Enterprise Radio Network (GHFERN). The GHFERN provides contingency radio communications to the Department of Defense (DoD) in a variety of circumstances, including complex catastrophes and cyber denied or impaired conditions. MARS is the program that trains, organizes and tasks volunteer Amateur Radio operators to support the

GHFERN.

Army MARS citizen-volunteers demonstrate the Army's values of Loyalty, Duty, Respect, Selfless- Service, Honor, Integrity and Personal Courage, freely and generously giving their time and resources as a reflection and measure of devotion to our nation. The world has changed dramatically since the MARS structure was first developed and implemented but what has not changed is the dedication of these citizens to serve.

1.2HISTORY

The Army Amateur Radio System (AARS) was founded in 1925 by the U.S. Army Signal Corps, based on the need for a pool of trained radio operators in time of mobilization. This organization was the forerunner of today's Army MARS. AARS was deactivated on 7 December 1941 with the outbreak of World War II.

The Military Amateur Radio System was established on 26 November 1948 by authority of the Secretaries of the Army and Air Force. It was renamed Military Affiliate Radio System on 2 September 1952 to more accurately describe its nature. In 2009, MARS name changed again when it was upgraded to a Military Auxiliary. MARS is probably best publicly recognized for its Vietnam Era service to soldiers deployed throughout the world. However, the MARS program you are going to learn about is significantly evolved. The MARS program operates under Department of Defense (DoD) Instruction 4650.02 as of 23 December 2009.

1.3MARS MISSION

The MARS Mission is to support a Global HF Enterprise in cyber impaired or denied environments on behalf of the Department of the Army, Department of Defense, in order to support the objectives of the United States.

The Global High Frequency Enterprise Radio Network (GHFERN) is designed to deliver messages primarily using High Frequency (HF) radio, although VHF radio may be utilized in some segments of the network. The GHFERN is operated by government personnel, contractors, military personnel and supported by a corps of citizen volunteers. The network supports Phone Patch/Radio Wire Integration (RWI) and point to point data and voice message circuits, compliant with the procedures outlined in the Allied Communications Publications.

Many MARS capabilities are provided through the utilization of organized volunteer amateur radio operators and their operating facilities under the appropriate Service authorities as directed by and coordinated within the Department of Defense and Service Channels.

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The MARS mission consists of three primary tasks:

1)Provide radio communications support to the DoD by staffing the GHFREN. The GHFREN provides enterprise level HF radio connectivity across the Army in the event of a denial of cyberspace.

2)Support DoD Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) efforts by interfacing with Amateur Radio stations in disaster areas, or other Amateur Radio stations that are in contact with Amateur stations in the disaster area, to obtain information concerning the conditions, impact of the disaster, and other information pertinent to coordinating a US HADR response.

3)Provide temporary disaster communications support to State and Local Civil Authorities, when requested and authorized by the DoD, until those Civil Authorities are able to serve their citizens without additional military support.

MARS also supports the DoD in other areas secondary to the primary mission, which include:

1)Training cadets, soldiers and guardsman in HF radio fundamentals. As subject matter experts in HF radio techniques, MARS citizen-volunteers are uniquely qualified to provide this service, and contribute to improving the effectiveness of these military units.

2)Processing Moral, Welfare and Recreation (MWR) related messages and telephone calls to or

from US servicemen and women located throughout the world. This activity was commonly referred to as “MARSGRAMS”.

The DoD Instruction document, (DoDI), specifies that MARS must be able to operate using radio only, without landlines or internet, and be sustainable on emergency power.

1.4 DEFINITIONS

1.4.1Contingency radio communications support:

The provision of radio-based transfer or exchange of information to assist with DoD or civilian authorities’ operations during, or responses to, any major disruption of DoD or other communications networks, such as those associated with official national security or emergency preparedness events or activities.

1.4.2Military auxiliary:

An organized body of volunteers prepared to supplement the uniformed services or any designated civilian authorities by provision of specialized autonomous services when called upon or when situations warrant.

1.4.3Defense Support of Civil Authorities:

Support provided by US Federal military forces, DoD civilians, DoD contract personnel, DoD Component assets and National Guard forces when the Secretary of Defense, in coordination with the Governors of the affected States, authorizes use of those forces in response to requests for assistance from civil authorities or from qualifying entities for special events, domestic emergencies, and other domestic activities. (42 USC 5185 & 42 USC 5170b)

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