The latter two are more semi-active income with some infrastructure buildout needed, but HipCamp has been pretty cool to the point we're making plans to add a few more campsites and some basic amenities. 

🌞6️⃣ Rental Income Deductions: Earn income & deduct related expenses.7️⃣ Home Equity Loan Interest: Deduct interest if used to improve your home.8️⃣ Military Moving Expenses: Active-duty?

It is also my understanding that this would result in large tax returns (from depreciation offsetting my other active income) that I could use to continue to expand my portfolio. 

Advertising a non-conforming unit without disclosing its illegal status could be considered deceptive (and fraudulent), opening the owner to major legal risks (fines or tenant lawsuits).Even private marketing, like word-of-mouth, doesn’t absolve the owner from liability if the unit fails to meet legal requirements.

The family dynamic isn't a major concern. 

Meaning its a full documentation loan and you will need active income to qualify and only can go up to 50% debt to income ratio.

A Solo 401k which is exempt from UBIT on leveraged real estate may be a better option if you have legitimate self employment activity. 

I think for at least one of mine (it's been a long time) it was just a letter that my commander had to sign, basically saying I was in the military, behaving myself, and the Air Force wasn't trying to actively kick me out.

This is actually one of the main reasons many agents and investors may not like them generally speaking (they are often not serious professionals with a proven track record of success, the vast majority are struggling to find their first deal and are time-wasters to interact with).   

So the one thing you train with it is not there in a majority of the places you go.What is there?