A friend of mine rented her property near a base and connected with military housing officers at the Family Support Center, which helped secure steady tenants.

Second, I'd connect with some local hosts in your area also in addition to Airdna.

Build a strong team, prioritize cash flow, and take the time to understand the local market and regulations, especially for development projects.

Once the time is right, with enough research, I would jump into a market (hopefully local if affordable) and get started.

Are there any local meet ups or websites on where to find more people who have a moderate level of experience meaning they are  somewhat experienced but still looking to collaborate and network with more inexperienced investors like myself.

Trustworthy property managers can make or break a portfolio, and I’ve found that vetting them carefully—checking their reviews, local reputation, and how they handle tenant retention—is crucial.

If the locals say it's rare then I would not worry.

If you file an eviction then it must be filed locally, if your LLC is sued they will sue locally. 

Depending on your state, many have local lenders that will go up to 100% LTV. 

I’m currently doing research about up and coming areas such as this post as well as looking for local groups.