To answer the question about X,Y, and Z companies hidden in the woods at Stone Bay: Yes it did happen.I was there in Aug. of '67 in X company (Xray) for what I would consider by todays standards pretty heavy duty training. By the way we were issued M-1's because the Corps did not have enough 14's to go around. Most of our gear was WW2 or Korea vintage, it worked, things like aluminum canteens, etc. There were very few officers around, a staff sergeant ran the company with the help of a groundpounder, very tough experienced Sergeant by the name of Sgt. Sinkfield. Taught us well. Sleep was at a premium, because as we were told, they needed bodies in Vietnam ASAP. The troop handlers and instructors at the time were pretty much fresh back from RVN, taught us well, no BS, pushed us hard, they probably saved a lot of guys lives because of who they were and what they had been through. Semper Fi. Russell, J.B. Cpl.
I was at Stone Bay 1968–It was Heavy Duty Training INDEED !!!!! We were so far out in the woods, sunshine was pumped in.