Star Fleet Battles is, at the same time, both complex in its mechanics and simple in its execution. Many things that sound difficult upon first reading the rules will become clear as the players attempt them. Starship captains undergo years of training for their jobs; don't expect to master this game in a day. But conversely, you need not concern yourself with the thousands of details faced by a starship captain, who spends over half his time on administrative problems (something that you, the game player, will not have to bother with).1
You are expected to have at least a passing familiarity with Star Fleet Battles, inasmuch as you can pilot a ship of your assigned race, allocate energy and damage, and fire its weapons in a combat situation. More complicated systems and rules (such as EW and fighters) will be introduced as your race advances in technology.