Here is my 2 cents on the help needed:

I am also fairly new to the Frequent Traveler world, but I have been flying first and business for about a year now.

For Domestic Travel: AA has 2 classes (Sometimes 3, MIA-DFW and others)
Domestic First
(If the trip has 3 legs or more, upgrade with miles 15k each way)
(If the trip has less than 3 legs, then upgrade with stickers)

International First (Not all flights overseas have those)
(There is no other way but cashing in Lots of miles)

But you should take baby steps. Fly international business first, then first later.

International Business
Just get a very cheap ticket to overseas and upgrade with miles (Definitely worth the miles) The way to buy this ticket to insure an upgrade is available is to do it by calling AA. That way, you can have the agent check flights with upgrade availability.

Good Luck and Enjoy