How important is the ITIL cert in the real world? This is good knowledge base but using it is way above our level in the Army.

We use it and have been certified in the National Guard (Illinois). I look at these programs as useful but with a shelf life until cooperate America finds something else. Before we were sent to get our black-belt certificatation in Lean Sig Sigma. That lasted for awhile and we stopped using it. Leadership is the driving force behind any of those programs

The ITIL Foundation is just that, a foundational exam. The real meat comes in when you set your goal towards a specific practice within the ITIL framework. I for example, and focusing on Service Delivery as a current Problem Manager and moving over to become a Global NOC Manager in a few weeks.

Keep in mind, ITIL is a framework and a set of guidelines that are designed to give you what you need to review and assess scenarios and build a relevant process and procedures around that situation.

It depends on the organization - personally I have found having an knowledge of ITIL frustrating as you see so many violations of the process that create issues that wouldn't exist if the process was followed.

Most organizations that are looking to use ITIL will train new hires on ITIL and budget that - so while you might have a leg up in these positions it is rarely a deal breaker by any means if you don't.