All other factors are as unique as the person is himself or herself. As a non-veteran member, the desire to serve my country in some way led me to MARS membership as soon I received my first F.C.C. license. The willingness of the MARS organizations to take on people at all levels of radio competence is one of the great assets to the MARS applicant. No matter what level his or her license or experience might be, the new MARS member is welcome to operate on all the available modes. Nowhere else can a new Ham gain this type of experience.
Members are most willing to help and the learning by doing on the nets is the fastest way to learn.
I would not be the accomplished operator and traffic handler that I am today without having had my MARS membership and experience. That is the key to MARS operations in all areas. One major program which has truly become interservice is the Helping Hands program which originated in Army MARS but includes members, helping and being helped, from all the services. It is nothing uncommon for a mix of Army, Air Force, and Navy personnel to be in on a project to help get a member on the air and functioning. Major assistance in such states as Michigan, Virginia, Alabama, West Virginia, and several others have given us very valuable MARS members.