I think there's a lot of good in this community, but there's also a number of people with credentials or experience unknown/unvetted who offer some pretty Debbie-downer advice.

I know I want to invest and have an idea of what I am doing there are just a unknowns to me that I need to understand before I start.

I guess it's a case where cashflow across enough properties makes this less of a headache, but this post was more just me making sure that I have my bases covered against an unknown unknown. 

Those are unknowns I still need to get settled. 

While yes, deployments and when I'll PCS between locations are still unknowns, I still wanted to purchase a property for myself in the Meade area.

There are cost risks everywhere else in the project, from unexpected/unknown issues, labour and material costs, to what you can sell it for.On-market deals, those that you find on the mls, typically will be at "fair market value." 

By both knowledge and distance, you are poorly positioned to be certain you are getting either.If you choose to ignore this advice, I hope that you find what I've written here doesn't apply to you for some reason unknown to me.

or . . .the third option which requires a lot of advice because it's completely unknown how to accomplish this with my low income, and no other assets to my name....and that is to somehow acquire another small residential unit and move into it to rehab, as I rent out the current property that I own and offset the mortgage cost?

With my new duty station being unknown at this time, I can only hope to head to Florida, Texas, Colorado or Washington State next to purchase my first investment property. 2. 💫 My first and immediate goal is to purchase my first investment property! 

The theme parks are still expanding, we are year round, and globally recognized unlike others that may have good recognition from the US population, but virtually unknown abroad.