Military -> MBA -> IB -> HF

Looking for advice from those on the buyside and HF recruiting for military MBAs from IB. Background: HYP undergrad, military officer, Yale/Ross/Darden MBA going to work at BB after school.

While I think the work in IB is interesting, I've found that I'm much more interested in the investment/stock picking side of finance than the deal/sales aspect of IB. I actually prefer the analysis and processing side of the junior level work in IB to the relationship management that becomes more important as you get more senior. From speaking with people who work at HFs, it sounds exactly like what I want to do.

I'm curious if anyone has thoughts on the best way to approach this -- is it possible to recruit full time as a second year MBA straight into HF after a summer in IB? My guess is this would be very difficult for someone with my background (lack of sufficient experience in IB). (though I'm on track for honors in a double concentration in finance and accounting in school which is obv not sufficient for a job in HF, just a helpful data point).

1) Is the better option to spend 1-2 years in IB and go from there? And how does one weigh the trade off between age and relevant experience in IB? I'll be 28 at MBA graduation, 30 if I spend two years in banking. I wouldn't mind working under people my age or younger due to experience if that's a concern. Obviously at a certain point the skill set in banking becomes less transferable to buy side opportunities, so interested in hearing perspective on the tradeoff there.

2) what is veteran recruiting like on the buy side? I imagine not as strong since the leadership/toughness aspect is not as valued at a HF as in banking. How does a veteran show that he's not just a smart guy who can work hard (good for IB) but someone who has the interest and aptitude for the heavy research/analysis aspect of a HF?

Thanks!