<human>: Can you condense the text into three sentences or less?

Hello, I'm still new to this whole Reddit thing. Nice to see how many communities are forged under this site. Anyways this is a long one but again, I feel the people of this internet community are splendid and should give me good advise.

I went through a, gut wrenching breakup with my now ex F18-5 months total. All my life, I was able to fascinate girls but... It was all through a computer screen. Not like I'm a creeper, all circumstantial. 

I always was someone who was good with language and heartfelt expressions and it's a trait many of my ex's were fond of. However, due to homeschooling (thank the public schools in not dealing with sexual harassment issues), I have been pretty much a shut in for several years and never really tried talking to girls and starting things in public. 

It's not so much self conscious of my physical look but more so I'll rub off as pathetic and nervous. I know it sound horribly childish but with someone with my mindset, I have no one else to talk this to (since parents kind of mellow everything with praise and good hopes). 

So what should I do and how should I go about local dating, my homeschool program practically segregates everyone under it, so don't bother suggesting that. I haven't really kept in touch with old loves either.

So where should I go, who should I talk to, in general I need advise to dating locally again. My friends and I already will be enjoying ourselves soon after my graduation but I wanted to try dating locally prior or at least attempt to talk to girls. 

My LDR's have always been through mutual friends and websites where it practically establishes conversations for you, so now in the more tangible world I kind am clueless.

All advise for not only my recent breakup but advise for local dating would be fantastic! Mainly the latter.

Another thing I should add is either way I'm shipping out in August to basic training, hope that tid bit of information helps.
<bot>: Need help dating locally, shut in, dated too many LDR's, utterly clueless beyond all reason. Cheers.