Great!  

ASL can be intimidating, but here's some advice...  

1. Find an opponent who already knows how to play. If you let us know where you are, someone on this list may be able to point you to an opponent. If you are living in west Mongolia then get VASL (see http://vasl.org/) and play on line. (You will probably have trouble making this work when you first install it. If that happens, post a note here and someone will help.) Way cool. You will also meet a ton of nice guys. BTW, a new version of VASL (Called VASSAL) is now in beta test. You WILL want this. See http://vasl.org/vassal This version installs MUCH easier than the original, but is not complete at this moment.  

2. Start with Infantry only. Pick simple terrain and no mortars or ordnance. Play a game or two. As questions come up in the game (most likely your opponent telling you that you're doing something wrong) write them down. After the game look at that section of the rule book again.  

3. Don't be discouraged if you get creamed. Everyone has to "pay their dues" so to speak.  

4. If possible, get your butt to a tournament. Tell the tourney director that you're new to the game and he will match you up with opponents who don't mind playing a "newbie". (If he isn't willing to do this, let me know, I'll beat him up.) You WILL lose most of your games (I went 0-7 at my first tourney) but you WILL have a ton of fun!

5. There are some "tactics" articles on the web that may help. See http://www.tigertank.com/aslcrossroads/links/. There are also VASL "saved games" so you can step through an example game. Take a look at http://www.mindspring.com/~tqr/ for Tom Repetti's "examples of play". Excellent resource. See also the "Game with a View" log files for VASL. Watch over my shoulder as I play a game.

6. Have fun! If you follow my advice in #4 above and find me there, look me up. We'll play. I'm famous for my ability to snatch defeat from a newbie. :)