Say if I have $5,000 to work with, is it possible I can get an Airbnb and if so how ?

It depends on your “ideal tenant” and strategy once you PCS.Would you be looking to rent to single officers going through training, military families with children, medical corps personnel TDY to Ft Sam Houston for several months, maybe even an AirBnB near Lackland, etc.?

In a rental I manage, we did see about a 40% higher rent for a furnished unit, but may see some higher vacancy periods and tenants probably expect more included (utilities, internet, etc), but agree it's something to consider.

However, for $8,000, I received no live training—just videos—and was left to navigate the deal on my own, despite assurances of a dedicated consultant guiding me through every step.This ordeal has left me devastated.

Maybe, instead of saving for a house, you save for a job change, whether it will cover your expenses for a few months, while you work a much more flexible job, and look for better additional work, or get training for a job that is more stable. 

Seems to me that it is such a small town that there isn't too much info on the internet.

Use internet tools such as BiggerPockets, Graham Stephan's and Meet Kevin's YouTube channels, and BiggerPockets Pro online courses.

To locate tenants, contact real estate agents or property managers, or use internet platforms such as Zillow Rental Manager or Apartments.com.

They can earn far more from the note transaction then the training.

These are professionals with additional training and a stricter code of ethics.