beginning with tournaments

So, I have been taking chess seriously for all of about three weeks. Because I am such a new-comer, I have a few questions about the 'basics' in real-life competitive chess.

First of all, I do not have an official tounament rating. I plan to begin a  membership with the USCF soon. If someone could please explain to me what they did when they started out and so-forth.

If some of the more experienced players could please guide and, sort-of, teach me the ropes of competitive chess, that would be great.

Thanks

Sorry, haven't even thought of joining USCF. I'm solely a CC person.

CC?

1. Join USCF:  http://www.uschess.org/

2. Read "An Introduction to USCF Rated Tournaments":  http://archive.uschess.org/ratings/info/intro.pdf

3.  Check "Tournament Anouncements (TLAs)" :  http://main.uschess.org/index.php?option=com_wrapper&Itemid=199

4.  Bring chess set, clock and scorebook to tournament.

thank you, will do