| Training
is the single
most important component of any profession. |
| Without it we can not complete the mission of MARS; neither Emergency Communications, nor any of our roles. |
| It is vital that a member in New York City be able to pick up the mic and pass a message to a member in Farmington, New Mexico with no apprehensions about doing so. |
| Why? Because the exact same message format, the exact same prowords, and the exact same procedures for call-up, passing the message, asking for repetitions, and acknowledging receipt of it are used in New York, Texas, New Mexico, and everywhere else in MARS. Net Control Station as well as members of the net should never have a problem following what is going on (poor propagation not withstanding). |
| Training falls into three basic categories. |
| Of course there is the initial training of new members. There is on-going training, either formal or informal. The third category is corrective training. |
| In the sections that follow I have broken training out into three aspects. These three aspects are more along the lines of the training circumstance, but they dovetail with the categories I just mentioned. |
| Please note, each section has some requirements that must be met. However, every effort is being made to allow plenty of flexibility so you, the training staff, can tailor the training to the needs of your State, Region, and Area. |
| This first section deals with training of new members and retraining of prior service (MARS that is) members who have been away for a while. |
| The second section relates to on-going training including the use of Communications Improvement Memorandums (CIMs) and short "words of wisdom" on the net. |
| The third and final section relates to publications members can use to get answers. These are also your guides for training. |
| Initial Training |
| Please review NTP-8 (D) Chapter 4, para 401 |
| Trial Service is a two way
street. It's a time during which we assess a new member's performance
and
their interest in MARS. We provide them with a lot of
information.
It's also a time when a new member forms their most lasting impressions of MARS. They make some important decisions about whether it's for them or not. It is the task of everyone in the program to assist this new member in feeling welcome and helping them to learn in a friendly yet structured environment. Assisting new members isn't just about direct aide to them. It includes the examples we set; either by doing things the right way, or falling into bad habits inconsistent with the training we are giving those new members. |
| REQUIREMENTS |
| Please review NTP-8 (D) Chapter 3, para 312.c. |
| Every new member is assigned to Trial Service, or Tango, status. The trial service period is slated to run as follows: Trial service ends on the last day of a month and will run such that the trial service member has four full months as a Tango. |
| Example: Jan 15th a new member's application is officially accepted. Feb. 1st Trial Service begins, they have one month to prepare and be operational (the 16 days in Jan are a freebee). Mar 1st is where the participation clock starts ticking. Trial Service continues until May 31st. |
| Tangos may start checking in to nets and begin their training at any time after being notified of their acceptance and issued a call sign. The above formula applies regardless when the trail member actually begins participating. |
| Primary responsibility for monitoring time lines lies with the state director. Chief MARS has authorized that a Tango member may be recommended for full membership prior to the end of the above stated timeline provided his or her State Director is satisfied that ALL the requirements for new member training have been met and he or she is ready for advancement to regular membership. |
| Each Tango must complete all of the following: |
| a. the MARS Basic Radio Operator course, |
| b. the Basic Procedures Training Program, |
| c. Net Control Station training; and, |
| d. any other requirements established within their State, Region or Area as set forth by the respective director. |
| The MARS Operator Course (MOC) is available on the internet. Updates to this course will be done only on the internet version. This course will no longer be mailed in book form. The tests and final exam are also on the web. See "MARS Course" for more information. Training staff also see "Intro for Training Staff". |
| Net Control Station Training. Each Tango member must complete an on-the-air introduction to Net Control Station ops AND serve as a net control on at least two traffic or admin nets. (See "Training Outlines" for more details) |
| ELMER PROGRAM It is highly recommended that each region implement and actively use an Elmer program. |
| It is a proven fact that new members do better, learn quicker, and have a lower drop out rate in regions with an active Elmer program. Every region should have an Elmer program in place and proactively implement it. |
| Your Elmer Program should consist of the state director, or his/her designee, assigning an experienced member who lives as close as possible to the Tango; preferably toll free if possible. |
| Elmers should do an outreach to their assigned Tango member as soon as possible. The Elmer should check to see if the Tango received all the training materials they are suppose to get. He or she should help the Tango find a Basic Procedures Training net and generally be available to the Tango for questions and support. Often the Elmer can be a liaison between the Tango and state staff for problem solving. |
| It's quite helpful if the Elmer can agree to be with the Tango on their first net check in. Not physically with them in the "shack", but agree to check in to the same net and "be there" with them. The Elmer should provide some does and don'ts and let the Tango know the correct way to get checked in. I know my own first time I was terrified to key that mic. I had my check-in statements all written down on 3x5 cards and read from those cards. The Elmer should check with the Tango periodically during their Trial Service to see how things are going. |
| Elmers are not expected to help a Tango get an antenna up, modify their equipment, or program their TNC to access the MARS switch. They are not expected to provide any technical advise. The Elmer process need not be complicated or time consuming. It's just a little more personalized assistance in getting started. For many people contacting a staff person, especially when they are brand new, is scary. If a Tango member is having some sort of difficulties the Elmer should be pass that on to the training staff. Be discreet. |
| A high learning curve exists in the Trial Service period. If a new member has no military background the entire approach we use will likely be very foreign to them. It's strict, it's disciplined, and there is expected adherence to the chain of command. As such the expedient practices of the Net Control can seem to a new person like the Net Control Station is mad at them or they are some sort of screw up. |
| Regardless of past military experience, every new member feels pretty overwhelmed to start with. The Elmer program really helps take the edge off. |
| On Going Skills Development |
| On-the-Nets Training |
| Whenever possible take the opportunity to check into your traffic nets. Listen for what seems to be on-going mistakes. From time to time, during lulls in the traffic, provide some on-the-air training tips. Coordinate with your region and state ECOM staff and implement some ECOM training nets. |
| Only the directors, training staff (FOURs), and Net Control Station should conduct any sort of training on the air or address mistakes made by members on the net. |
| When a point of procedure or a rule is discussed on the air relevant references to NTP-8 or the ROG should be readily at hand. Be prepared to cite those references. It's a good idea to always cite the reference. If you can't cite a reference members have no reason to accept what you tell them. |
| Another useful tool is periodic messages in your respective broadcasts. Again, word things respectfully. Don't be insulting or demeaning. Don't try to cover too much in one message. Instead spread it over several messages and over several weeks. Keep it to one message a week. Oh, and did I mention, include references? |
| NMO and Other Training Resources |
| NTP-8 chapter 3 discusses the NMO program and other resources available to members who wish to enhance their skills. Check out the Navy MARS Operator page. |
| Communications Improvement Memorandum (CIM) |
| First, and most important, review NTP-8 (D) 509.b regarding the use of CIMs. |
| Communications Improvement Memorandums, or CIMs, can be an effective tool when used right. Unlike on-the-air corrections, any member may issue a CIM to any other. Even to Chief MARS himself, but you better be right (no matter who the CIM is addressed to) and cite relevant references. See "Publications for Reference and Training" below for the correct way to reference cites in a message or letter. |
| It is vital that every CIM include references to specific paragraphs and subparagraphs in NTP-8 or OPS Guide that are relevant to the topic of the CIM. If references are not provided in the CIM the member has no reason to accept criticism of their work and the issuing member should be counseled in that regard. |
| A CIM must never be harsh or condemning. They must always be neutral, factual, and professional. |
| Every CIM must contain: |
| A. reference(s) to the regulations, |
| B. the exact error(s); and, |
| C. the date, time, and net (where applicable) the error occurred. |
| Each CIM should address only what the addee did, or did not do, not what anyone else involved might have done or failed to do. |
| Make sure CIMs are routed in a timely manner to the member and to the appropriate staff (Region and State Directors, Region Assistant Director, Region and State Fours as appropriate). No other members are to receive a copy. CIMs should be considered confidential and never made public. If more than one station was involved with the error being addressed, write a separate CIM to each and keep it to that station's involvement. |
| Normally a CIM is sent by U.S. mail. However, if you choose to use e-mail consult your State Director, AOG, or Area Assistant Director (ONE) as appropriate for guidance within your Area on use of e-mail for this purpose. |
| At no time is a CIM to be sent in any format over the air. Neither is a CIM to be discussed on the air, formally or informally. It can be very easy to embarrass, humiliate, and offend a member. This is not the function of a CIM. They are intended as a process by which to learn. |
| ECOM |
| Advanced training and ECOM preparedness should be based on the needs of your State, Region and Area. Coordinate with your respective ECOM Assistant (TW0) to find out how your training goals, objectives, and methodologies can fit in with their needs. |
| Keep in mind that "what you practice is what you will do!" Not practicing is a mistake. The result of not practicing will be lots of mistakes. Sometimes the worst embarrassment is the one you never know about. |
| Publications for reference and training |
| The only acceptable and authorized sources for policy, procedures, and the rules for conducting MARS business are, in order of precedence: |
 |
Chief MARS official instructions* (usually in a CMB message); |
|
|
NTP-8 (series); | ||
|
|
|
||
|
Note: the tri-services Voice SOP replaced the net procedures in NTP-8 Chapter 7. |
|
messages, directives, instructions, and memoranda from your Area Director. |
|
your Area Ops Guide (AOG) |
|
messages, directives, instructions, and memoranda from your Region Director. |
|
your Region Operations Guide (ROG) if there is one; |
|
messages, directives, instructions, and memoranda from your State Director. |
|
your State Operations Guide (SOG) if there is one; |
| * "Official Instructions" here means, any directives, instructions, memorandums, and notices from Chief MARS or the respective director positions listed above. |
| Citing References |
| For message formatting see NTP-8 (D) Chapter 6 "Message Schematic" |
| When citing references in a letter, memorandum, or message always list them as references using the proper message or correspondence format. Always be specific enough so the reader can go right to that cite and find the info. |
| For example: in the text of
a message, immediately following the SUBJ: line list all the
references. Then refer to them in the text, such as "SEE REF A." |
| A. NTP-8 (D) PARA 509.B |
| B. NTP-8 (D) CHAPTER 6 MESSAGE SCHEMATIC |
| C. CHIEF, NAVMARCORMARS 010101Z JAN 01 |
| Your best source for Chief MARS messages is your WinLink account. NMC MARS National, Area, Region, and State web sites are also good sources for information at those respective levels. These web sites are most likely to have the recent messages and current updates of publications. |
| A great many other materials are available that may provide guidance or amplification, however they may from time to time be in conflict with one of the above sources. Therefore it is imperative that all training must be based on references to one or more of the above and no other sources. |
| Please review NTP-8 chapters 3, 4, and 6 |
| When it comes to training, especially training of new members, these chapters are most vital. Additional chapters and annexes that cover net ops, check-ins, etc. are also important. |
| Always use one of the above listed sources for your references. Refer to them often, and keep your own skills sharp. |
| There are few things more embarrassing to the trainer, the members, or Navy MARS as a whole, than a trainer who doesn't do it right themselves. That doesn't mean mistakes won't happen. We are all human, but don't let mistakes and guesswork become your standard practice. |
| de NNN0ASN OR |