B-17, you're getting the idea now!
When I paint my figures, I prime them 1st with a spray can of grey or white primer, easily available in a hardware store. Stand them on blue-tak, don't know what you might call that in the US. It's the stuff you stick posters on a wall with.
I then use a fine very fine detail brush (size 00 I think). Paint the face and hands a flesh colour 1st, you can buy flesh colour paint, I mix my own, 50/50 white yellow, and a bit of red. It doesn't matter if you get paint on the uniform or helmet at this stage cos you are going to paint them olive/grey anyway.
Then paint the the uniforms, be careful no to paint on the flesh bits, then I paint the boots, belts, equipment and weapons.
I'd stick with trying this 1st, there are techniques to 'weather' your figures, but thats for when you are more confident with painting them. But you can research online, there are lots of sites with good figure painting guides, explained a lot better than I can do, with pics too!
Looking forward to seeing your progress.