A few questions as a servicemember currently overseas with 0 experience.

I will be stationed overseas for the next couple of years and plan on absorbing as much information as possible to purchase a property as soon as I return to the States and begin my real estate journey. 
So a couple of weeks ago I saw a video on the Podcast that alluded to the fact that cash flow and the 1% rule aren't going so well and might not be a possibility down the line but appreciation on various markets seems to possibly increase. But this is more the case with single-family homes right? I plan on using my VA loan for a multifamily property and house hacking to cash flow. I ask this because it is concerning if cash flow on a multi-property isn't realistic then what is the point?
I apologize if this might sound like a stupid question, I still have a lot of research to do. Thanks in advance.