Is an MBA "required" for military officers with emerging market finance goals?

First things first I am not sure if this is the right forum for this or not - just seems like the best fit. I know the title is laughably specific but I wanted to get as much into it as I could. I also did see several other threads which provided a bit of insight but I still have questions.

I'm currently in commercial real estate investment sales/REIB, a field I plan to stay in for 2-4 more years. My long term goals are in emerging/frontier markets finance, ideally real estate (East Capital) or private equity (Leopard Capital). I know that my background isn't BB IBanking but I still consider it realistically attainable.

After 2-4 years in real estate I plan to go to OCS to join the US Army. I have done a lot of research and spending 4 years in the military will accomplish several personal goals as well as - IMO - position myself well for the international type of career I hope to have.

My question is whether an MBA is necessary after finishing in the military? I know it is sort of the assumption that vets interested in finance will do one for the networking and re-calibration of goals. However, given the specifics of my situation I don't know if it is necessary. I will be around 30 by the time I am done with the military so I just don't know if that is too late.

FWIW my target schools would be INSEAD, IMD, the London schools, or SSE (I want to spend a few+ years in Sweden). But TBH I could see an argument for doing a Master of Foreign Service at Columbia or what have you, too - again, I'd be way over the average age.

My assumption is that in the fields I am talking about, "the usual thing" goes out the window a bit so maybe I am overthinking it. I am very curious how hard it would be to reach my goals without that MBA?

Thanks a lot - any input is truly appreciated.

Career Advancement Opportunities

April 2024 Investment Banking

  • Jefferies & Company 02 99.4%
  • Goldman Sachs 19 98.8%
  • Harris Williams & Co. New 98.3%
  • Lazard Freres 02 97.7%
  • JPMorgan Chase 03 97.1%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

April 2024 Investment Banking

  • Harris Williams & Co. 18 99.4%
  • JPMorgan Chase 10 98.8%
  • Lazard Freres 05 98.3%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.7%
  • William Blair 03 97.1%

Professional Growth Opportunities

April 2024 Investment Banking

  • Lazard Freres 01 99.4%
  • Jefferies & Company 02 98.8%
  • Goldman Sachs 17 98.3%
  • Moelis & Company 07 97.7%
  • JPMorgan Chase 05 97.1%

Total Avg Compensation

April 2024 Investment Banking

  • Director/MD (5) $648
  • Vice President (19) $385
  • Associates (86) $261
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (14) $181
  • Intern/Summer Associate (33) $170
  • 2nd Year Analyst (66) $168
  • 1st Year Analyst (205) $159
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (145) $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
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
3
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
4
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
99.0
5
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
6
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
7
kanon's picture
kanon
98.9
8
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
9
Linda Abraham's picture
Linda Abraham
98.8
10
numi's picture
numi
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...”