I have researched and bought properties in my local area while I have been deployed to other parts of the world.

You'd be best served selling it, 1031 and re-deploy into a more optimized unit class. 

I have been saving while currently deployed overseas.

I am not a strong believer that you can deploy the equity into a better return on your money right now.If the tenants are on a M2M lease give them proper notice, fix the damages from their 2+ years, and set more strict guidelines while screening for your next set of tenants to mitigate a similar situation in the future. 

I'm deploying in 6 months and have some money I'd like to put away since I won't be investing in real estate while I'm gone.

I actually deploy the exact strategy you are wanting to do.

Your decisions will be very different if you’re deploying 7 figures vs 8 figures.

Id make sure I had a big upside and a few exits possibilities before deploying $375k for a property. 

In your case if you do not wish to deploy a lot of capital, utilize 5% down payment on a conventional loan and purchase another primary.

Buffett philosophy of no personal debt if at all practical.Controlling our personal costs, such as mortgage expense, reduces our demand for cashflow and allows us to be careful deploying capital with reasonable levels of associated leverage.Do you need to begin your investment with 3-5 units?