When you stop trying to run troops to the field instead of the town.

(watched someone drive an LVT from the town to the field the other night while everyone was telling him on VOX to turn around... they were surprisingly nice about it though)
When one of the infamous "good sticks" sends you a <S> after a fight.
And I really do think that *most* people here are willing to help out a noob. But the noob has to be willing to help themselves too. Nobody wants to hold your hand and explain every detail of the game, but most people are more than willing to help out someone who shows that they're willing to do some reading and practice.
But don't take my word for it, I've been playing for six months and some of these guys make me feel like a noob on a daily basis.
<S>