Funny, my experience starting out is quite different in that I figured out how things work around here pretty damn quick. I guess being in a 60+ man alliance that sprung up on the red team practically overnight is an accelerated learning experience.
To the OP, I wouldn't blame the forces at war with NPO on this one as the "raiders" are at fault. Don't for a second think of the NPO as a benevolent protector as once you were large enough to be within their sights they would have turned on you too and sent you packing under threat of force.