While I was in I met a lot of people who owned several rental houses, one guy who managed (along with his wife) over 25 properties, and other who were in the industry one way or another.Some of the good things about investing while serving are the resources available.

For example, if I am not bound by a law regulating the industry is it better for me?

Risk assessment, at least an accurate assessment is mostly impossible for an individual and I'd doubt it's that accurate at a mid size institutional type either.While I understand some of your unique industry, inner-office phraseology such as "capital waterfall" it's not that well understood nor applicable to individual note investors here, while I understand it seems to embellish some sense of expertise in a post, it's poor communication to our audience and simply takes us to conceptual aspects rather than realistic and relevant analysis.

And perhaps one that could have tangent conversations in spirit to other industry practices, now that I have had some time to reflect.

Interest rates up, housing starts down, inventory holds or decreases.Then apply local demographics, industry, retail, transportation avenues, educational institutions, hospitals/health care, quality of life assessments and recreation.

I am in the process of just getting my feet wet and my first goal is to familiarize myself with as much of the industry jargon as possible because words are tools.

It is a wonderful industry.

Technological innovation will radically change the industry.  

You'll be able to meet investors and industry participants of various levels.

The industry I work in only allows me to be home sporadically throughout the year.