Marine vet getting started in Colorado

[Christopher Levine]

I'm 22, currently an active duty Marine in San Antonio, Texas. Serving has given me the great advantage of a debt-free college education and some specific, potentially lucrative skills. I'll be separating in fall 2019, however, to start my life as a civilian.

I've known that financial freedom is one of my most important goals for some time, and I'm pretty dang confident I have the work ethic and dedication to make it happen. I'm new to real estate investing, however, and I've got some big choices coming up when I leave the military.

Here's my Plan A at the moment...

I could likely save up to a ~$100,00 cushion by taking an overseas contracting job upon leaving the military, then come back to the states after one year for a mid-level position in the greater Denver area - at which time I could likely earn ballpark $40-50k at a full-time job (vacancies are typically in Aurora or Denver, possibly Colorado Springs.) I'd live off my salary there, frugally, while investing part-time.

I'm young and have a lot of flexibility, but much, much learning to do. Any advice you could give to help inform my post-separation decision or refine my plan would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!