SO I've finished the inital training missions that come with the A-10C module, but am still nowhere near prepared for the campaign. Any thoughts on next steps? Perhaps some training campaigns, join a squadron to learn more, etc?

There are several options, Aggressor.

You can check with various virtual A-10C squadrons like the 476th vFG and see if they're still recruiting and if they're a good fit for you.

You can also hop onto any of the open multiplayer servers to get some flight experience with folks who can show you tactics and techniques and help answer your questions. I strongly recommend joining a server that has some sort of voice comm, like Teamspeak 3 - getting lessons via chat is difficult. Eno's Firehouse and Wrecking Crew's Hollo Pointe servers are a local SimHQ community that is extremely noob friendly. Can't recommend them enough.

Have you played any of the single missions that came with DCS World? Can't hurt to just load one up and apply those training sessions to real combat. Even the Instant Flight missions from the main menu are decent intro sessions.

How about just jumping into the campaign? Sure, you might make some mistakes your first few attempts, but there's no better way to learn than to do, especially when there's always a "refly" button. BeachAV8R has some great after action reports for the A-10C campaign missions to give you a preview of what to expect. Looking for the links now...

Aggressor, I've been wanting to get back into flying with someone again (solo is kind've boring for me, and I don't want to join any squads [many are mainly very 'military training' type, I just want to play the 'game']).

I've thought about joining into the Eno's Firehouse/WC's Hollo Pointe servers, but just never have yet. I wouldn't mind flying with you personally (on any server).. we'd both be 'learning/relearning'.. if you're up for that. I'm no expert, but I'm sure I can teach you a few things (multiple target JDAM programming drops, etc).

What part of the US do you live so we could 'coordinate' times, if you're interested? I'm in the Central US (TX).

^ Flying with a person like this is good. There's a ton to learn about the jet to make it feel like home. I think pick a certain system or task and explore it in depth then the next day pick a new one. Can't eat the elephant in one sitting no matter how hungry you are.

FTFY

Seriously, though, don't try to take the whole jet on all at once - it's overwhelming. Take the time to really learn each system/method. Reading manuals is good, experimenting in the sim is really good, but nothing beats going up with a helpful individual (or two) on voice comms and stepping through the process, asking questions, and actually applying it in missions.

This is a great community to do that.

Even though you've finished the training, you still need to remember how to employ them in combat (ie with AAA/SAMs flying all over the place).

I'd suggest you play on MP servers with actual missions. See if you survive that.

Another vote here for just hopping into the SimHQ servers and having at it. I did that after having a shaky background in flying and you'll learn the essential things as you go.

Just make sure you can take off first, otherwise wrecking on the runway tends to throw wrenches into the missions.

You could try the BFT campaign, that might improve your skills flying. You can find such missions on the DCS website under user missions. They are payware campaigns but only $5 and there are many other user missions that are freeware there as well.