Purchase price: $197,000 Owner Occupied Duplex, funded with VA loan.

I want to purchase a multi-family home using my VA loan. 

@Paul Defngin if you want my honest opinion, it sounds like her loan estimate that was disclosed to her did not entail a locked interest rate and now that rates have shifted and her rate is locked, that the credit is no longer available.

Use your VA eligibility first then move on to NFCU's Active Duty Choice program.

Half day shift, half night shift

@Julian Demacabalin VA is the way to go.

I don't know about your area, but where I live in Virginia the only prospects looking for rentals are deadbeats who are finally able to be kicked out of other people's houses. 

My biggest mistake so far was not buying my first property on the VA loan.

TX is a huge state and owning real estate anywhere is a large undertaking - one worth taking a considerable amount of thought and analysis.Lastly, I would 100% recommend using your VA loan if you do choose to buy.

@Dominik Perrenoud from your post, it is obvious to me that you already know it is a mindset shift you need to move from where you are to where you want to be.