Beyond the Uniform: U.S. Marines donate blood to support military readiness

CAMP HANSEN, Okinawa, Japan — When a medical emergency strikes, there is no time to begin collecting blood. The supply must be readily available to support patients whose lives depend on it.

U.S. Marines stationed on Camp Hansen donated blood during a blood drive hosted by the Armed Services Blood Bank Center (ASBBC), Oct. 26, 2026, helping sustain a supply essential to emergency medical care and military readiness. Their participation reflected a commitment to service beyond their daily duties, supporting patients and fellow service members they may never meet.

For U.S. Marine Corps Pfc. Johnz Harris, a native of Mississippi and a fire support Marine with 5th Air Naval Gunfire Liaison Company, donating blood is something he makes an effort to do whenever he can.

“You’re committing to a cause that is bigger than yourself,” said Harris.

The Armed Services Blood Program (ASBP) is the official blood donation program of the U.S. military, responsible for collecting, testing, storing, transporting and distributing blood products to military locations around the world.

Maintaining that supply helps military medical facilities provide care during emergencies.

“For our [military treatment facilities], depleted reserves affect our capability to provide emergency trauma care and limit our ability to provide blood products in a time of crisis,” said U.S. Army Sgt. Nathan Sosa, a native of Puerto Rico and a medical laboratory technician with the ASBBC, U.S. Pacific Command (USPACOM).

U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Elijah Cacho, a native of Texas and a field radio operator with 12th Marine Littoral Regiment, 3rd Marine Division, also donated to help patients in need.

“I wanted to donate blood today just to be able to help out [those in need],” said Cacho.

For Cacho and Harris, donating blood offered a way to help others while contributing to a supply that supports military medical readiness.

“Blood is a resource,” said U.S. Navy Hospital Corpsman 2nd Class Brandon Burrell, a native of Missouri and a laboratory technician with ASBBC, USPACOM. “If we cannot provide the proper resources, that can affect the success of [the mission].”

For Harris, donating blood is an extension of the Marine Corps’ values of honor, courage and commitment. He explained that helping others does not always require being on the front lines.

“You can do more than fire your rifle to commit to being a Marine,” said Harris.

As the ASBP works to maintain blood supplies for military medical care, Marines at Camp Hansen demonstrated that readiness extends beyond training in the field. Their contributions reflect a commitment to service, resilience and ensuring others have the resources they need when it matters most.

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