When I am starting a new colony, the first thing I do is build up my resource facilities to Level 4, first food to 4, metal to 3, then oil to 4 and metal to 4. I build up my satellites so I can scan, then build up my military facilities until I can build soldiers and A/B/E upgrades.

That's when I start building up soldiers for my alliance or shooting for level 5 food. This strat seemed to work good for me this time on NewE4.

Would you do anything differently? Should I shoot for level 4 military facilities before I go for Level5food and start producing squads?

A lot of people go tanks so I figure building zerg soldiers with Explosives and Beams would be good.

just one thing, rather make metal before oil, it's the best in most cases since units cost more metal then oil
and it would be smart to have explosive and beam weapons cuz you will mean veh and tanks
[remember that inf got +25% bonus vs. veh and veh got +25% bonus agains tanks]

and i personatly in a start would go for atleast dmg units if it's in the start of the round and you plan conquering and not losing to many units

but all in all it seem good
i personly go for level 3 food and metal and level 2 oil in the start to make more units, but thats just me, your way is better in the long run if you don't get conquers

Well the frequent boosts on newE4 certainly helped me pay for the extra facilities. I probably shouldn't depend on it in the future.

not unless you plan on donating

and e4 is the world that donate the most by FAR!

I think you should put this in the strategy section so other people can read your strategy and give you feedback.