I just came across this thread while surfing at work, bored out of my skull.
I trained in Cuong Nhu from 94/95(?) until 98 out of Goose Creek in South Carolina at the Jade School under Jay Williams.
To answer the OP questions, when I started we begginers, depending on the class night and who was teaching, usually worked on the karate kata applications and judo applications aspects of it as new students with a bit of the aikido thrown in once and awhile.
As far as the wing chun and vovinam aspects, my experience was very little, although we did work on boxing quite a bit.
The training where I was was pretty traditional and structured, over all a great atmoshere.
I was fortunate to have met O sensei twice. Once in Goose Creek, and once while at the yearly training camp in Marquette, Michigan.
I also am shocked to hear of the bad behavior, sorry you were exposed to it.
From what I remember that wasn't typical in the organization, nor was it tolerated.
If you have anyfurther questions, don't hesistate to pm me.
~ Rob Acox
Tell the Spartans, stranger passing by,
that here obedient to their laws we lie.
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"Come and take them!" King Leonidas' response to Xerxes' demand that the Spartans lay down their arms at the battle of Thermopylae.