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The M-16A1 was first used in Nam in 1964. However it did not become the Standard Army issued rifle until 1969. I went to Marine Corps boot camp in Jan 1075. We were the first series to not train with both the M14 and M-16. Our guide books still had a whole section devoted to the M-14, nomenclature, break down and manual of arms. The M-16s we trained with were old rifles used in Vietnam. The DI’s made a big deal of our rifles having been used to actually kill Charlie. They also cussed them out for constantly jamming and breaking.

I digress, sorry. Anyway, it is possible they carried an M-16 in Nam in 1968. What I found odd was the idea that you went in a tunnel or cave network after an NVA or Viet Cong with an M-16. I know a former Marine tunnel rat. He had the bad luck to just barely meet the USMC height standards. He said the preferred weapon was an M1911. He said an M-16 would of been difficult to use in confined spaces. Side note, he became an EMT, joined the Navy Reserve in 2002, went to Iraq in 2004 did combat patrols as a Navy Corpsman with the Marines. Sounds like in this case, there was either a bit of hyperbole on the part of the Vets or the author.

“We were the first series to not train with both the M14 and M-16.”

I went to Parris Island in January 1974, and they told us we were only the second series to go through with the M-16. Never saw the M-14 until later at Quantico

“What I found odd was the idea that you went in a tunnel or cave network after an NVA or Viet Cong with an M-16.”

Going into a tunnel with an M16 was not something I said. I do recall tunnel rats and the only weapon I am aware of their taking was the 1911. A pistol would be the only useful weapon in a tight quartered quick draw situation.

My recollection of the era is that the M16 was originally developed by the USAF and proved out quite well. Because of this the Army adopted the weapon and issued it en masse. However the Army induced the jamming issue be issuing an ammunition not approved by the manufacturer. They initially compensated for it by using a lube called LSA.

By contrast the COMBLOC weapons were made to operate under all conditions, to include never being cleaned. I recall a training session we had with COMBLOC weapons after I got back from Vietnam. The instructor took an SKS, dropped into a mud puddle, drove over it with a M151. The next day he field stripped it, urinated on it to clean it, put fresh rounds in it and it fired.

I was so impressed I bought an SKS years ago, fire it frequently, have never cleaned it, but do oil it occasionally. For extremely brutal unsupported field conditions, this is the only rifle I’d want.