I have done a fair amount of learning up on my own but in your opinion how large of a safety net is reasonable/necessary to have after making your first deal.

Getting comfortable asking sellers questions and listening is something you need to learn to do, and practicing on FSBO's is as good as anyone.

This way you can ramp up your savings AND learn some RE skills.2.

I would use your VA benefits, like @Jason Wray said, but use it for rental property purchase that you can learn to manage.

I entered into the real estate market in 2021 as a realtor hoping to learn more about real estate investing.

I am also wondering if there are any tips you could give me as a 16 year old who has been consistently learning about RE and is eager to start.

I want to learn everything and also if there are Canadian investors I am interested in learning from you as well. any help is appreciated!

You're in the right place to learn about real estate investing. 

If you aren't willing to learn that investment asset, then you can either:1. find someone you trust to help you invest into that asset2. put money in low/no risk investment assets and just accept the low return3. blindly go into an investment asset and basically gamble.

Can’t wait to learn!