When Lt. Col. Hezzie Green Jr. assumed command of the 51st Military Police Battalion on March 8, it marked more than a milestone in his career. For the FIU Business alumnus, the milestone represented the culmination of more than two decades of military service and a leadership journey shaped by discipline, analytics and a deep commitment to serving others.
Hezzie Green Jr.
Green has served for more than 21 years in the Military Police Corps, leading soldiers in domestic, joint and international environments. He recently took command of the 51st Military Police Battalion, a historic unit with roots tracing back to the Revolutionary War. The battalion recently returned from a deployment to Poland, adding a new chapter to a long legacy of service. Green said the change of command ceremony brought together soldiers, families and community leaders to honor that history while looking ahead to the future.
"It’s a big step in my career,” Green said in an interview. “It symbolizes a lot of faith and trust from this nation.” He described battalion command as a “sacred obligation,” one that carries responsibility not only for mission readiness, but also for the well-being of soldiers and their families.
That sense of responsibility extends beyond the military. In his civilian career, Green serves as North Florida regional manager for visual media operations at CoStar Group, where he leads creative teams supporting platforms including Homes.com, Apartments.com, LoopNet and Ten-X. His work spans architectural and residential photography, aerial imaging and emerging 3D technologies for one of the world’s largest real estate data platforms.
Green said FIU played a pivotal role in helping him grow into that position. He chose FIU’s MBA program because he wanted to strengthen his leadership ability and learn to operate and think at the senior corporate level while sharpening his skills in analytics. The experience, he said, changed how he approaches decision-making, problem-solving and leadership across both his military and civilian roles.
“The analytical and strategic mindset I developed during my MBA has helped me lead more effectively, make data-driven decisions, and operate at a higher level,” he said. Green added that FIU helped bridge the gap between his creative background and operational leadership experience, giving him a broader perspective he still applies every day.
Balancing military service, a demanding civilian career and graduate school was one of the greatest challenges he has faced. From that experience, he said, he learned the importance of discipline, prioritization and surrounding himself with the right people. Those lessons remain central now that he is leading at an even higher level, where decisions carry broader impact and longer-term consequences.
Looking back, Green said he hopes his legacy will be defined by compassion, mentorship and service. He wants to be remembered as someone who took care of people, gave back to his community and helped others become their best selves. For service members and students considering graduate school, his advice is simple: invest in yourself and do not wait for the perfect time. “Education is one of the most powerful tools you can have as a leader,” he said.