I don't mean to attack anyone's views and this is purely academic, but why wouldn't someone like myself invest in a Real Estate Investment Trust that already has an extremely diversified portfolio instead of looking into the market and trying to 'beat' the market by choosing the best investment properties?

I have 3 rentals that are rented by the semester or academic year which means my tenants turn over at least every nine months and frequently every 3 or 4 months.

Because of the academic calendar I typically have a signed lease 2-4 months before they occupy.

Our immediate exercise is to build a few tools that can be used to look at operating data for property groups, but his academic research in the RE field is much broader than just the topic at hand.

What subject is/are your academic degree(s) in?

Your spouse can satisfy the occupancy requirement on your behalf if your military duties have you elsewhere, but more than likely this is purely academic unless you have a job already lined up (employer-signed offer letter with guaranteed base salary, start date, etc) in your pocket as of this exact moment, since you are within 1 year of EAS, have not re-upped, and are inquiring about a VA loan. 

Just as students move into communities based on common interests, in this case, academics, retirees seem to be following the same trend.

The Caprate (NOI / purchase price) compares this property to other propertiesIMO, CASH ROI deposited to you back account is the acid test -- if you're happy, the rest is academic, but there are those who preach the IRR as the 'true measure'

Probably to difficult to invest out of state without going that route with my limited experience, working a full time job and finishing up on some academic courses. 

Look into those.I wouldn't work for free in US, cuz i remember reading somewhere about labor laws that interning must be either for academic credit or tangible compensation, whether financial or commodity like room and board.