Planning Military → Degree → IB / MBA Path Advice

I am planning on going into the Military as an officer this time next year, and will get my undergraduate degree once I have been in for 3-5 years. I am seeking advice on whether it is worth it for me to spend 5 years, get my degree, and then try to go directly to get an MBA and apply to be an associate. The other option would be to do 3 years service, get my degree after, and apply to be an analyst.
Would getting an MBA without having worked in IB put me at a disadvantage compared to those who are applying after being analysts and then getting an MBA?
If so would the reduced likelihood of being hired be worth the chance to be hired directly into an associate position?
I have a long time to figure this out, but I would like to understand before so I can plan.
Thanks in advance for any advice!o

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It won’t put you at a disadvantage, however, it will limit your exit opportunity. Military —>MBA—> banking is a common path. You might even be able to get in without an MBA in rare circumstances.

I would caution you against this however if you’re reason for going is because you want to recruit for IB

 

If you do your MBA and go into banking as an MBA associate then it becomes more difficult to break into things like PE, HF (to some extent). One because you missed the part of your career where you learned the technical aspect of the job and two because the recruiting cycle is not as structured.

 

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