Military-affiliated communications resilience in emergencies and disasters
When traditional communications systems are disrupted, resilience depends on redundancy, flexibility, and trained people operating under clear authority. One of the least understood — but most strategically important — components of U.S. auxiliary communications is the Military Auxiliary Radio System (MARS).
MARS is not amateur radio, and it is not a hobbyist emergency group. It is a military-affiliated auxiliary communications capability that has played a critical role in emergency response, continuity operations, and interoperability for decades.
What is MARS?
The Military Auxiliary Radio System is a Department of Defense–sponsored program that uses trained, vetted volunteer radio operators to provide auxiliary communications support to the U.S. military and, when authorized, to civil authorities.
MARS operates on DoD-assigned radio frequencies, separate from amateur radio bands, and its members operate under military direction and policy, not FCC amateur radio rules.
MARS today is organized primarily as:
- Army MARS
- Air Force MARS
(What was once Navy-Marine Corps MARS has been consolidated, but maritime support functions continue through other DoD and Coast Guard pathways.)
A brief history of MARS
MARS traces its roots to World War II, when the military recognized the value of civilian radio operators for handling morale traffic and non-tactical communications.
Key historical milestones:
- 1948 – Formal establishment of the Military Affiliate Radio System
- Cold War era – Expansion into contingency and continuity communications
- Post-9/11 – Increased focus on interoperability, homeland defense, and domestic support
- Modern era – Integration with emergency management, continuity planning, and AUXCOMM concepts
Originally focused on morale and welfare messaging, MARS evolved into a strategic auxiliary communications capability supporting military operations, defense support to civil authorities (DSCA), and national resilience.
MARS in emergencies and disasters
MARS has been used repeatedly during large-scale emergencies and disasters, particularly when incidents involve:
- Military installations
- Federal response coordination
- Continuity of government or continuity of operations (COOP/COG)
- Wide-area infrastructure failure
In these scenarios, MARS provides:
- Long-range HF communications independent of commercial infrastructure
- Interoperability between military and civilian response elements
- Backup communications paths when primary systems are degraded or unavailable
Because MARS operates outside the amateur radio service, it can be tasked for government and military traffic that amateur operators cannot legally handle.
The role of MARS in communications resilience
MARS contributes a unique set of capabilities to the broader emergency communications ecosystem:
- Government-authorized auxiliary communications
- HF reach beyond line-of-sight and damaged infrastructure
- Military integration not available to civilian programs
- Trained, vetted operators accustomed to formal tasking and message discipline
Rather than duplicating amateur radio programs, MARS complements them — filling gaps where authority, security, or mission requirements exceed what amateur radio services can provide.
Cross-service and interoperability communications
One of the most important — and often misunderstood — aspects of MARS is its role in interoperability.
MARS and amateur radio interoperability
While MARS operates on military frequencies, it has historically supported cross-service interoperability with amateur radio during emergencies. This is most visible in the use of the 60-meter (5 MHz) band.
The 60-meter interoperability concept
The 60-meter band is unique in U.S. radio regulation:
- Amateur radio operators are authorized to use specific, channelized frequencies on 60 meters
- These frequencies are shared with federal government users
- Operations are subject to special restrictions (power limits, emission types, channel use)
Because of this shared framework, 60 meters has been used — under controlled conditions — as an interoperability bridge between:
- Amateur radio emergency communicators
- MARS stations
- Other federal or government users
This capability is especially valuable during:
- Large-area disasters
- Situations requiring coordination across civilian and federal domains
- Incidents where infrastructure loss makes HF the only viable long-range option
Importantly, these operations are not casual or routine. They are conducted under defined authorization, procedures, and coordination, reinforcing the professional nature of MARS operations.
MARS, AUXCOMM, and ICS integration
In the modern emergency management environment, MARS aligns closely with AUXCOMM principles.
MARS operators:
- Are accustomed to operating under formal command structures
- Understand message handling, prioritization, and discipline
- Can integrate into ICS Communications Units (COMU) when authorized
- Provide a military-affiliated auxiliary capability alongside civilian programs
In this way, MARS complements:
- ARES / RACES / ACS (civilian auxiliary communications)
- AUXCOMM (integration framework)
- Federal and state emergency management communications planning
Who can join MARS?
MARS membership is not automatic and not open in the same way as amateur radio programs.
Typical requirements include:
- U.S. citizenship
- Background screening
- Technical proficiency and training
- Ability to meet operational and participation standards
- Willingness to operate under military policy and direction
Many MARS members are also licensed amateur radio operators, but amateur radio licensing alone does not grant MARS authority.
Why MARS still matters
In an era of satellites, fiber, and digital networks, HF radio may seem outdated — until everything else fails.
MARS remains relevant because it provides:
- Independence from commercial infrastructure
- Government-authorized auxiliary communications
- Interoperability across military and civilian domains
- Trained operators who understand disciplined communications
Like ARES, RACES, ACS, and AUXCOMM, MARS exists to answer a simple but critical question:
How do we communicate when normal systems are gone — and authority still matters?
Resources and references
- Military Auxiliary Radio System (MARS) – Overview
U.S. Department of Defense
https://www.usarmymars.org/ - Air Force MARS Program
U.S. Department of the Air Force
https://www.usafmars.org/ - Army MARS Program
U.S. Department of the Army
https://www.usarmymars.org/ - 60-Meter Amateur Radio Band Information
American Radio Relay League (ARRL)
https://www.arrl.org/60-meter-band - Auxiliary Communications (AUXCOMM) Overview
Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA)
https://emcomminfo.com/auxcomm/ - Defense Support of Civil Authorities (DSCA)
U.S. Department of Defense
https://www.defense.gov/Spotlights/Defense-Support-of-Civil-Authorities/