Hey! Welcome to Red Orchestra!
First things first: please please please leave the squad leader role for later! Take sniper if you wish, but wait on taking SL. All too often, a good/bad SL is the key to victory or the cause of defeat. I'm sure you're a sensible human being, but like you said, RO has a high learning curve, and the SL has, imo, the highest learning curve of all on some maps.
With that said, I would actually recommend using a mixture of semiautomatic rifles, bolt-actions, and SMGs. I would also recommend playing first as a Russian. Semiauto rifles are easy to control, are forgivable, and allow you to scrounge a kill or two with in your first few matches, bolt-actions get you used to having to manually work a bolt, and submachine guns teach you to control weapon recoil while giving you a chance in close quarters combat. As for playing as a Russian, Russian F1 grenades do not start cooking (counting down) once you press the left mouse button. That way, if you draw back your grenade only to realize your target is a friendly, you aren't stuck with a live explosive in-hand.
Tanks also present a difficult learning challenge. Twbclan.com has a forum thread with a gread Intro to Tanking Guide you can check out. They also have multiple threads for gameplay tips.
As for good maps, I'd recommend Konigsplatz, Odessa, Leningrad, KurlandKessel... basically any medium-long range map that lets you work on your marksmanship. Avoid close-quarters maps like Lyeskrovy or especially Danzig!
If you're interested in serious teamplay, I'd recommend checking out my map tutorials in the Tactics section of the Ostfront forum, so that you're familiar with how to tackle some of the more challenging maps!
Obvious tips like "stay in cover" and "watch your fire" I'm sure you're familiar with.
As for some (less obvious) specific tips:
--Don't use lean or take a uber-tactical approach to building clearing too much--lots of newcomers crouch-walk through entire maps, causing roadblocks for teammates and making themselves into easy targets.
--Don't spray and pray--you'll burn out your machine gun barrel or run dry with your SMG before you know it.
--Don't use iron sights from a standing position until you're very comfortable with the game. Use support like doorways, windowsills, sandbags, etc for your weapon where possible.
--Reload at moments when you are completely safe.
--In reference to the above, if you have a bolt-action in close quarters and miss with your first shot, charge forward with the bayonet! Fumbling with the bolt will get you killed.
--Use grenades wisely--save them for the right moment, or you'll be kicking yourself when an enemy MG opens up in the window next to you.
--be aware of your muzzle flash--never say in the same spot and shoot repeatedly. Shoot at a target, then displace a few meters, or, even better, to another position
--Don't crouch in open terrain trying to pick up a better weapon--if you're under fire, move on.
--Do not rush the same deathtrap over and over again. If you died in spot A because of an SMG camper, find another route instead of trying to get him on the 2nd, 3rd, 4th try...
Good luck! You'll be a real frontovik in no time
Hope this helps!
