What if you have to serve in military in the middle of your college years?

Dear,

Was wondering what would you guys have felt or done if you had to enroll in military service for two years in the middle of your college years, say your sophomore year?

Cuz I feel pretty bad about it. Tryna build up my education and career goal and I have to stop all that cuz you have to serve in the army for two years. What do you guys think about this?

17 Comments
 

Should apply to various types of public service - not just the military - but I agree that America should make you do it for a year

Commercial Real Estate Developer
 

1-2 years would be great, like they do in Israel. I’m too selfish to devote a larger chunk of my life to it but like the idea if it was a shorter commitment.

Edit: Israel is 2-3 years, but my point was shorter term mandatory service. Israel also has great training, which can have real world application. Their Unit 8200 produces a lot of tech entrepreneurs, it’s their “HYP”

“The three most harmful addictions are heroin, carbohydrates, and a monthly salary.” - Nassim Taleb
 

To be completely honest, my view is biased. I am currently in training to be an infantry officer in the US Army. Based on the views of many B-school vets I befriended while at undergrad, I think the best job on this planet will be being a platoon leader. A job where I get to lead soldiers during peace and war. It's why I stopped pursuing finance out of undergrad and chose the military.

I am lucky enough that I found a PE firm that loves military hires and decided to take a chance on me working part-time for them while I am in the Army for the next four years.

You don't know what you don't know so give it a chance, with a good attitude. You might find it to be incredibly fulfilling. It sucks that you don't have a choice, but suck it up and move forward.

 
"ResearchLackey19" sets u up for taking the lv 1 which requires 4 years of college + work experience. GL.

not exactly

"To register for your CFA level 1 exam, you must have: a bachelor's (or equivalent) degree or be a final-year student OR. 4 years of professional work experience (full-time, investment-related or not) OR. a combination of professional work experience and education totaling 4 years."

"If you always put limits on everything you do, physical or anything else, it will spread into your work and into your life. There are no limits. There are only plateaus, and you must not stay there, you must go beyond them." - Bruce Lee
 

Tempore aperiam quisquam iure est deserunt. Voluptates est similique delectus quas doloremque libero. Aliquid qui fugit a aspernatur quo. Voluptates pariatur ad voluptas dolores aliquid cumque.

A quia illo ullam. At nulla doloremque sapiente. Et facilis est quibusdam ut mollitia quos totam. Aut quia vitae voluptatem harum voluptatibus explicabo non quibusdam.

Ut sit aut voluptatem similique. Ut nobis quisquam sint eum. Ad aut excepturi aspernatur dignissimos. Repellendus iste non molestias iusto est enim. Repudiandae illo ducimus ipsam aut. Fugiat ipsum iste asperiores consequatur.

Interested in health tech, consulting, and entrepreneurship.

Career Advancement Opportunities

July 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.3%
  • Guggenheim Partners 01 97.7%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.1%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

July 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.4%
  • Morgan Stanley 02 98.9%
  • Evercore 01 98.3%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.7%
  • Banco Santander 01 97.1%

Professional Growth Opportunities

July 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 06 98.3%
  • Goldman Sachs 01 97.7%
  • JPMorgan 01 97.1%

Total Avg Compensation

July 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (15) $434
  • Associates (46) $258
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (22) $179
  • Intern/Summer Associate (13) $156
  • 1st Year Analyst (79) $150
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (73) $101
notes
16 IB Interviews Notes

“... there’s no excuse to not take advantage of the resources out there available to you. Best value for your $ are the...”

Leaderboard

1
redever's picture
redever
99.2
2
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
3
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
4
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
5
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
6
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
7
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
8
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
9
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
10
bolo up's picture
bolo up
98.8
success
From 10 rejections to 1 dream investment banking internship

“... I believe it was the single biggest reason why I ended up with an offer...”