The “Devil” Brigade at Fort Riley engaged each other in friendly competition to recruit the most blood donors and collected almost 400 units for patients in need.

The 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team hosted an American Red Cross blood drive on Sept. 18 at King Field House. During their inaugural Battle of the Battalions event, each unit of the 1st Brigade set out to bring in the most donors from among their soldiers and families.

The winners, the Iron Rangers of the 1st Battalion, 16th Infantry Regiment, got bragging rights — and four-day passes.

The contest turned into something much bigger than a competition, though. It became a lifesaving mission, and these soldiers showed up for it, donating 382 units of blood.

Someone in the U.S. needs blood every two seconds, and every day, the Red Cross must collect more than 12,000 blood donations for patients nationwide.

More than 200 soldiers had lined up outside King Field House to donate by 7 a.m. the day of the drive, even though it didn’t start until 8 a.m. While a blood donation takes eight to 10 minutes, the entire process of giving blood takes about an hour from start to finish, including registration, taking the donor’s health history and a stay in the refreshment area.

Soldiers who donated were eligible for three-day passes from their command, the USO provided 500 boxes of chocolates and Monster Energy showed up with 500 energy drinks. Donors also received Red Cross x Hello Kitty merchandise, custom Blood Drive Warrior T-shirts, drinks, snacks and pizza.

Red Cross Donor Recruitment Account Manager Lisa Fairbanks started working with the “Devil” Brigade in July to organize the drive. She said soldiers were excited, supportive, patient and incredibly respectful, even when the waits became long

“My own family is military, and I can genuinely say that Devil Brigade has an extraordinary group of soldiers,” Fairbanks said.

The amount of blood collected at Battle of the Battalions isn’t the only reason Fairbanks calls the soldiers extraordinary. The behind-the-scenes support they provided was an important part of the blood drive’s success.

The King Field House facility manager had the tarps unfurled and the gym prepared for blood drive setup to begin the day before the drive. Dozens of volunteers came to help, and some were there until 9 p.m. after the drive was over, making sure the mission was completed.

Tables came from the Riley Conference Center. Fort Riley personnel provided a truck to pick them up, helped secure additional chairs and made sure everything was delivered. When supplies ran low during the drive, volunteers and soldiers made runs to restock water and ice.

“They were battle-ready for a very different kind of mission, and they simply did not quit,” Fairbanks said.

Command Sgt. Maj. Michael Gossman presented brigade challenge coins to Fairbanks and four of the soldiers who volunteered to support the blood drive in recognition of their efforts, an experience Fairbanks called “an absolute honor.”

The Red Cross had 31 collections staff members and multiple volunteers at the blood drive to make it run smoothly.

Fairbanks and 1st Brigade command are already discussing a second Battle of the Battalions blood drive, which she hopes will be bigger and better.