I know this may seem like the very first thing I should figure out, but my girlfriend is a traveling nurse. 

look for area appreciations, business expansion, chamber data, room rents, taxes, hoa, etc....and look for a sfr with garage apt or something similar or something you can park at travel trailer on to rent out... lots of options other than just sfr/dups

My parents have an investment home in a different state that they're just been looking to get out of because it's no longer easy to travel.

My parents have an investment home in a different state that they're just been looking to get out of because it's no longer easy to travel.

If you're looking for STRs, I'd suggest looking into hosting for traveling nurses.

Also, some people buy a house with a basement apartment and rent to travel nurses or normal tenants as well.

Speaking as a customer of STRs, I think the demand may moderate somewhat as people are vaccinated and travel opens up. 

I travel there monthly and a new complex, or new business, or new subdivisions is getting put up regularly.

They told us this has never happened before so I am guessing COVID changed travelling habits. 

Have them start sending you properties to review and I'd plan to take permissive to get eyes on (assuming you have not been stationed in SA before & your command supports travel considering COVID).