It's good to have a sense of urgency but you shouldn't be rushing to deploy $50,000 into real estate, especially in this market.

The stresses of PCSing (which I've done), deploying to combat zones (which I've done) and having to support loved ones back home while out of the country (which I've done) are a lot.

Between deployments and having been stationed all over the country, remotely purchasing and maintaining properties has its challenges but I am now in Columbia, MD and only a 7 hour drive from my properties.

I am a deployed soldier who will be coming home to the Lexington KY area soon.

Army (currently deployed)3. 8 years (technically) 

PA has better returns, but more difficult to deploy $300k effectively and more difficult to manage. 

As for you going over seas, is this a detachment/deployment where you are going to come back after some time?

My husband is deploying soon and I have a bunch of very ambitious goals.

The locals have gotten used to this, but you probably need to have another hefty chunk of change ready to deploy for capex. 

This is an area with a lot of public transit access and where you deploy really good rental strategies bc it's large rental pool.