MANHATTAN, N.Y. — While recently drinking with a college friend who is now a private wealth manager, witnesses at a Financial District club say Marine Col. Josh Peterson made the night uncomfortable by repeatedly insisting he “would have totally gone private equity” but “would have punched a managing director in the face.”

The serving infantry regiment commander and veteran of Iraq, Afghanistan, and Syria swayed as he leaned in to explain this career crossroads to 37-year-old Matt Friedlander, a Harvard MBA who has never once considered another person’s welfare.

“Bro, you guys are the best of the best,” Peterson said. “I almost got my MBA. Totally wanted to. But my dad wanted me to kill the enemies of America.”