The Book/Tapes/Cassettes are designed with real estate agents (and everybody else) in mind.I was professionally trained with a Fortune 200 company selling very expensive computers and I still learned a lot from that book. 

I’m in the same train of thought!

Heather Rapp, IMO, when starting out you should not be building your "team" with people you have to train.

I don't know about your state but don't take home inspectors reports as the gospel.As a buyer learn as much as you can and challenge them to defend their findings.In GA anyone can be a home inspector.So qualifications,number of inspections,previous industry history,ongoing training etc. is critical.So your home inspector who went up in the attic didn't see the cut outs for the vents showing on the roof??

What matters is they haven't been trained properly.

There is a Kitsap County group that is very active and open to training you as well as providing funds to help you get started.

You have a great starting point- 2 great buddies, and military training!

There was a one day training, plus his materials cost extra.

Or is this to train newbies to eventually have worker bees since most won't survive?

I agree with the above, except I would make one alteration:"It is easier to sell the dream (easy money based on a simple system requiring little money down except for the big chunk of money for the training and little risk) than to sell the truth that making money in real estate usually requires knowledge, time, money, effort, personal sacrifice and risk."