A good idea also is to check the sub-forums of the different nationalities.

In there, you can find guides on what sailors to create for every different type of ship
in the game.
You can also find there different setups you might want to use, sailor abilities needed
and everything specific that vary between nationalities in the game.


Read the forums for information and you will have no problems playing the game and
leveling up.

Read the Navy Field manuals and NFtrainworld has manuals too. Read as much as
you can and it will save weeks of wasted effort. Some manuals are downloaded.
Read NF boot camp, the sailor tree, ship tree ect ect. Many good things at the Navy
Field site.

Unlike most online games where you level up a single character, (e.g. WoW) in Navy Field
you level up multiple sailors that will collectively make your ship better. After each
battle, every sailor equipped on your ship and support slots will gain a certain amount of
exp. After gaining enough exp, your sailor(s) will level up and will allow you to fight
and survive better and allow you to purchase better ships and weapons.

Play more.