Hello,I am currently deployed with the military.

Join the military at 19 and always worked a second job unless deployed or overseas. 

I am interesting in learning this whole process and want to reach some financial freedom and be able to build passive income while spending time with my family, traveling and enjoying life after being gone for so many years with deployments and training.

I think the question remains though, Is that a worthwhile deployment of time and capital? 

I currently have several hundred thousand on the sidelines that I am looking to deploy at some point in some form of real estate but not sure the best avenue.

However, I am currently deployed to Afghanistan because I am in the Ga National Guard.

While I was deployed I read Rich Dad along with a slew of other books about wealth growth.  

I have 200k to deploy but have been having a tough time narrowing down my search.

Small timer here, only 2 investment properties plus by home.. just trying to figure out how much cash I should have on-hand ready to deploy for my next deal when one comes along, OR in the event of a market downturn I'd want to be able to act.

I generally prefer the flexibility of the heloc option myself however there are times when I would consider the fixed cash out as well if I know the funds will be deployed for a long period of time or if the fixed option is much less expensive than the HELOC risk/costs.2. was addressed above the flexibility of the HELOC to be paid and reused with out incurring additional closing costs or refinancing costs unlike the fixed term loan which requires refinance fee's if you want to pull funds out again or to modify the fixed note.Best of luck.