Photo By Lance Cpl. Kevin Lopez Herrera | U.S. Marine Corps Pfc. Hailey E. Green, a native of Ocean Springs, Mississippi, with...... read more read more
MARINE CORPS RECRUIT DEPOT PARRIS ISLAND, S.C. - Marc Broussard - Home, instrumentals begin to play. Hailey Green moves to the beat of the music while facing the backs of four chairs. Before belting a word, the crowd cheers... Green performs her song with passion, floating and dancing across the stage. Blake Shelton sits hovered over his button, contemplating and listening. Jennifer Green, Hailey's mom, watches anxiously backstage waiting for a chair to turn. The band begins to fade as Hailey belts her last note full of vibrato…
Hailey Elizabeth Green is a native of Ocean Springs, MS. Her father, Retired Marine Corps Gunnery Sgt. Eric Green, inspired her to become a United States Marine. She is also following her passion for music as a vocalist in the Marine Corps.
Hailey Green was always driven by music. Even at the age of two, Green's parents recalled her singing in her sleep. As she got older it became apparent to the whole family that she was on a destined path for music. Her musical prowess continued to develop, as singing and performing came naturally to her throughout her childhood, and she even taught herself to play the guitar.
She began performing in front of crowds at the age of six singing at small restaurants and bars.
At 13, she premiered with her first band at the Crawfish Music Festival in Biloxi, MS, and at 16 she got the opportunity to work with Jelly Roll backstage. "One thing about Hailey is that she enjoys challenges," said Eric Green.
Hailey Green knew that she wanted to pursue her passion of music, she was continuously marketing herself in and out of town to perform as many gigs as she could. The first big shot she got was being on the hit reality television show, "The Voice". Green premiered on season 19 of the show when she was 14, singing Soulshine by The Allman Brothers Band. During the height of COVID-19 there were additional challenges to face. With her mom watching and clenching her fists in anticipation, Hailey sang her heart out on the stage.
At the end of the song, all four chairs sat motionless staring at the COVID-19 mitigated, empty audience. Jennifer Green was distraught as Hailey finished her song and lowered her microphone. "I didn't care what it took but I knew music was my goal," said Hailey Green.
A year later, Hailey Green got another chance to perform on season 21 of "The Voice", This time singing Home by Marc Broussard. Blake Shelton sat hovered over his button, contemplating and listening. Jennifer Green watched anxiously backstage waiting for a chair to turn. The band began to fade as Hailey sang her last note. As quick as a quarter note and timely as a metronome, Blake Shelton smashed his button. A wave of shock and relief washed over Hailey's face, while her mom screamed in celebration.
This wouldn’t be Green's last challenge to face; she was still driven and wanting more.
One normal day at the Green household, Eric Green was going through the mail and found a Marine Corps pamphlet with Hailey's name on it and without thinking too much of it, he threw it away. "She didn't tell me she wanted the Marine Corps." Later the same day Hailey discovered the pamphlet and confronted her father with it. Hailey didn't want to rule out any of her options as her father and brother-in-law are both Marines. Eric Green said, "Well, let's go head down to the recruiting office”.
Hailey Green met and spoke with Staff Sgt. Jordan Puzz, a recruiter with Recruiting Sub-Station Houma, Recruiting Station Baton Rouge. Hailey went into the office with an open mind, not knowing yet she could become a vocalist with the Marine Corps band. Once she found out about the Musician Enlistment Option Program, she was all in. "She already knew exactly what she wanted. I just helped give her guidance and mentorship," said Staff Sgt. Puzz.
Shortly after completing her auditions with the Musician Technical Assistant, Green was given a boot camp ship date to Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island.
After three months of Marine Corps basic training, Pfc. Hailey Green graduated as the Company Honor Graduate for November Company on Jan. 17, 2025. "I was able to talk to the other platoons and they would come to me if they had questions," said Pfc. Green. "I was just glad that they were comfortable enough to do that and see me as a leader.”
Pfc. Hailey Green has demonstrated drive and capability her whole life, teaching herself the skills she needs to achieve her goals, shooting high and earning the chance to work directly with Blake Shelton on “The Voice” and having the courage to follow in her father's footsteps by becoming a United States Marine. Pfc. Hailey Green has always been at the forefront of her own fight. Now with her newly earned title, she has attained on more dream and become — first to fight.
| Date Taken: | 01.17.2025 |
| Date Posted: | 02.02.2025 10:49 |
| Story ID: | 489494 |
| Location: | PARRIS ISLAND, SOUTH CAROLINA, US |
| Hometown: | OCEAN SPRINGS, MISSISSIPPI, US |
| Web Views: | 10 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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