Others in the area have told me they have great luck in that area, but I'm unsure if I want to be actively involved in AirBnB or go the more passive route with a long term rental.

Brew City REI is a very active private Facebook group of over 1500 local investors sharing local tips/advice, contractors, current events and deals. 

I went to meet ups and talked with other investors, I drove around and looked at neighborhoods and properties, and I was active on BP and FB providing value where I could.

They are becoming more and more common/popular in the Joshua Tree area of California where I am an active investor/VRBO operator. 

After hearing that my 90-year-old grandfather, who now relies on a motor scooter most days to get around, just returned from a trip to obtain continuing education in order to his civil engineering license active, I realized how silly the excuses we create for ourselves truly are...If he still has that kind of fire at 90, how much should I have today in my 20's!

With a really resourceful and great community (at least online so far) http://www.dfwreiclub.com/ Staying active on BP you should get plugged into various wholesalers.

Is it possible to do when you are active duty?

The activities of the property will continue to be reported on your schedule E.Where it can affect 1031 is if you contribute the property into a regarded entity it becomes the tax payer for the property so when you later sell it will need to do the 1031 exchange and buy and sell.  

I would also consider checking out the DREIA (dade real estate) And last but not least stay active on BP!

So I am just now getting active on the site.I am an R&D supervisor and coming up on semi-retirement.