Upon finding a broker and affiliating myself with the aforementioned groups, I plan to begin taking the courses required to obtain my GRI Certification.Any advice would be greatly appreciated! 

There are also fabulous programs to get involved regardless of your brokerage affiliation.

Supporting the military is not the same as supporting businesses- whether military-affiliated owner or not.

You must designate a trustee (generally, a third party not affiliated with lender and borrower) who holds title as a surety for the loan.  

What type of startup are you doing that is affiliated with the construction and real estate trades?

Getting affiliated with wholesalers in the area is the approach I recommend if you want to BRRR.Greenville is probably the best bang for buck.  

In terms of finance, did you obtain the 30 year note through one of MIs affiliated lenders? 

Can you recommend a good Real Estate Firm to affiliate with for an Investor/Broker?

You have to be affiliated with at least 1 board of realtors $700/yr, have a sentricard and pay dues in order to access electronic lock-boxes $215/yr, MLS access $660/yr, if you go with a 100% commission brokerage expect to pay approx $3600/yr, continuing education courses/licensing and renewal fees approx $150/yr, showing service membership $1,000/yr, add in the cost of E & O insurance and a few more memberships, broker dues and other misc. things and you're well over $7,000 per year.  

Guns are no more a part of that business than religious beliefs, political affiliations, or favorite foods are.