Military -> Private Equity or IB

Contracted through ROTC to serve four years after graduation. I attend a top target (non-military service academy). Duty, honor, and country are why I intend to serve, however I will most probably not make a career of the military. With the goal of keeping my options open for when I exit the military, I wanted to get the WSO community's perspective on my position. From what I have heard, to break into PE post-MBA, most big names will only take those with prior banking or PE experience.

1) Given that my pre-MBA experience would be spent in the military and not banking, would this serve as a detriment for entry into PE?
2) Could internships with BBs or EBs in my undergrad help offset that lack of banking experience and help me break into PE?
3) Preceding with the assumption most BBs and EBs look to groom their SA classes for FTs, am I at a disadvantage for landing SA offers with such firms because I am already commited to the Army upon graduation? If this is the case, what are your recommendations for landing a SA offer if you have no intention of pursuing a FT with the firm until at least four years out?

 
dzcelts:

1. Yes
2. Partially. There's such a supply of bankers that want to go PE they don't recruit from many other places.
3. Yes, but you might be at an advantage for some. And if you get an offer you can buy your way out of your commitment.

MSF post military -> analyst -> PE is still very much on the table.

I'd add to that, getting in as an analyst will be much easier than Associate. While military recruiting for Associate positions are fairly common a military analyst candidate is somewhat of a diversity Unicorn.

 
Best Response

If you attend a top target, you will have the opportunity to do a 2-year analyst stint following your active duty time. I know people who did 5 years in service -> McK BA/BB or EB IBD analysts. They then had the option of doing PE/HF or going to b-school (or staying in consulting/banking).

I wouldn't count on banking internships helping you break into PE, however if you are a rock star and attend H/S following your military stint, you have a chance at breaking into a solid MM PE firm. I know of peers who went that route (i.e. no prior banking experience at all but went to top undergrads and top b-schools). Not saying it is easy or common, but it is possible. Definitely don't dilute your brand by doing an MSF post-military - you can go straight into an analyst position.

 

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