Question about Halo:Reach multiplayer games?

I tried playing multiplayer on Halo:Reach for the first time yesterday, with terrible results. I was very uncompetitive with the people I was playing against, even though I asked XBox Live to pair me with other new players with similar skills. My question is, do you think it is because I need more experience playing? Should I just keep trying? Seriously, I had like 1 or 2 kills in each match, against 10+ losses each time. Sometimes firing point blank at the enemy players and they didn't die. Swat (no shields), etc. Does the armor I am wearing have any relevance other than for cosmetic purposes? When I get more credits for better armor, will that help me live longer? Does XBox Live have a hard time pairing terrible players like me with others who stink? I was often dying to headshots before I could even shoot my weapon. Are the other players just that much better? Any advice would be helpful...