I suggest you start out by meeting like minded people and here is a link to a local meetup in the OC: https://www.biggerpockets.com/forums/521/topics/1225233-ocre...Good Investing...

Understand this.

But I also put an caveat, "negotiable with more security deposit down." 

I understand it will take more than a message to penetrate the core of your being however i hope you can start to see this situation from a different perspective.

Any recommendations or insight are appreciated!

Have the lawyer deal with this.  

@Daniel Vo, sent you a message but I am proof that you can start in your late 30's and figure this all out while still serving and setting yourself up to grow even more when you retire from the military.

Then just ask: Hey, since you moved out of state I was wondering what your intentions were with this house.

I have about 10-20 with a $4,000 balance now on a $1000 month rent, more with 2 months balance...

Anyways, again, I really appreciate your insight.