What's a Greenhorn General to do?

[Volcano Man]

Yes, I agree with Rick. Open up the scenario before you start and look at the general situation on the other side. Don't go so far as to look at the strength of the units opposing you (don't click on the stacks), and instead look at the jump map and 2D zoom in map to get an idea. If you do that without looking at stack composition, unit strengths and writing down obstacles and minefield locations and such, then you probably would have a reasonably historical amount of starting intel to go on.

Once you play past the first day, it will all be irrelevant. :)