USN CPO

1988 - 1991

I had always wanted to get into HAM radio as a kid, and while we were out at sea during my first year aboard, I met one of the onboard MARS Operators. He opened the door for me and I began studying code. Next thing I knew I had passed my Novice test and had become a "MARS Team Member". During my 4 year tour on her (NASSAU) people transferred and one day I found myself in charge of the MARS Operations aboard. That training paid off well as we deployed to the Persian Gulf for the build up of what lead to the Gulf War. During times that we were not under "radio silence" the MARS Room was open for traffic, and believe me, that we did. I can remember some days of making over 200 calls in a time slot. Even the Skipper held an "open door" policy that as long as he could would at times allow us to stay on the air as long as possible. When you have a Skipper that gives you his 110% it sure makes operations better. The moral of the crew was great as we put many happy faces in the passageways from making phone patches. Seeing the smiles and or tears of a father while hearing his little girls voice, or a dad telling his son that he is proud of the "A" he'd receive on his report card could not express the joy we as MARS Operators felt. The smiles always outweighed the sadness of the calls that were made due to a death in the family or information relayed on that matter. You just seemed to shed a tear right along with them as you were made a part of their life at that moment. The "MARS GRAMS" were just as plentiful. There were so many of them that we would actually lose count, but thank goodness for RTTY because it sure made it easier than voice. I guess the most special experience was getting my Step-father involved. When he saw what I was doing from the Gulf he became excited as well, got his ham license and started buying equipment. Next thing I knew he had a phone patch and was waiting for me to get on-line at certain times. Although he never received his MARS call, he did make a few "Phone Patches" for us.

It effected me enough that I still have most of my photo's and articles tucked away to drag out every now and then. I can never loose the friendship I gained via the MARS world from the Gulf War. I met people from all over the United States that without hesitation opened their door for me and my shipmates. I have had the honor to meet a few of them and till this day keep in touch. I have discovered that MARS Operators are a different breed of people. They are the ones that will alter their lifestyles to fit the needs of others, such as being up all hours of the night just to make a few calls. Fill out stacks and stacks of paperwork in the form of MARS Grams just in hope to bring a smile to someone they've never met nor will meet. And most always, these dedicated people never get a handshake or a thank you, they only enjoy a smile they put on their own face from the good deeds they know they have done for others. My hats off to each and every MARS station, because I know that the voice behind that microphone is coming from a person who sincerely cares, which in turn makes me proud to say "I was a MARS Operator too at one time".