15th Financial Management Company Pays it Forward

06/11/2012
By Catherine Tharpe, ASBP Blood Donor Recruiter, Fort Hood, Texas

Melodic Casado (left), phlebotomist at the Robertson Blood Center, gives a donor from the 15th Financial Management Company a high-five for his donation.

The Robertson Blood Center at Fort Hood, Texas, is known for thanking its donors in all kinds of ways. Whether it is a t-shirt, a donor recognition ceremony, a simple verbal “thanks” or a delicious cookie, the staff wants all of the donors to know their donation is appreciated. So imagine their surprise when Capt. John Borman, commander of the Bravo Detachment of the 15th Financial Management Company, paid it forward by presenting Robertson Blood Center acting director, retired Col. Elaine Perry, with a certificate of appreciation!

Even with an upcoming deployment and a heavy training schedule, the detachment is sure to complete one community service project a month. This month, they scheduled a blood drive with the Armed Services Blood Program and planted a tree for the local Fort Hood community. They even extended their goodwill and civic intentions by issuing a blood challenge to the 13th Expeditionary Sustainment Command using the Army’s espirit de corps for friendly competition.

Staff Sgt. Gloria Skeete organized the blood drive, helped 1st Lt. Scott Waller advertise throughout their unit, and let their Family Readiness Group spouses know they could contribute by bringing delicious baked goods to the drive. Many members of their unit were second time donors and were eager to teach others about the official U.S. military blood program. Having previously donated blood at the Robertson Blood Center, Borman’s reason for giving blood is simple and straight from the heart. “It saves lives,” he said.

In theater operations, the 15th Financial Management Company provides financial support to airmen, sailors, soldiers, Marines, civilians and local nationals who depend on payments for services performed. They physically handle U.S. and foreign currency, as well as write checks, load funds, and code military pay transactions. With many different entities depending on them for various pay functions, the Bravo Detachment demonstrated that when it comes to blood donations it is too easy to “pay it forward” for service members in theater.

To find out more about the Armed Services Blood Program or to make an appointment please visit us online at: www.militaryblood.dod.mil. To interact directly with some of our staff, see more photos or to get the latest news, visit us here: www.facebook.com/militaryblood, www.flickr.com/militaryblood and www.twitter.com/militaryblood.