If the guy was duck hunting without a license or a properly permitted shotgun, I'd be inclined to go easy on him.

Comparing these will give you a good idea of how easy or difficult it will to find on-market deals.

it was easy

If it was easy everyone would do it.  

Otherwise, you dont have to keep the management company when you return, and you will pay for their services and a bit of markup on the turnover, but it would let you back away from all this drama and rest easy while you are on vacation. 

Finding a good deal, let alone one that will take a VA won't be an easy task, but you just gotta stick with it. 

You have a captive audience with your fellow soldiers and would be easy to hire a property manager to look after both of your properties, if you so choose.

Being military people are always looking for places to live before and after deployments and after moving and so on, so finding a roommate to grab a room is easy, and I do have a girlfriend that will be living with me. 

I guess it’s easy for one to be emotionally fearful when the risk is a home you love vs. one you buy for investment.

To get the permits is easy, or hire someone to do it for you, once plans are approved, shop around and blacklist that contractor if i were you.