FIGS. 1 & 2. Black name tags [over right breast pocket] and "PANAMA" [left pocket] used on fatigues, but rarely.

FIGS. 3 & 4. Unit tad and patch of the 2nd Company of Infantry, these were stationed at Tucumen airport as an Airmobile unit. Patch is red edged in black with yellow lettering, natural light brown puma's head with white muzzel, tab red with yellow lettering and edge.

FIGS. 5, 6 & 8. Tabs worn on the upper right arm, always yellow lettering on red background with yellow edge. Panama was divided into 12 Military Zones, 1 - Panama City, 2 - Colon, 3 - Veraguas, 4 - Herrera, 5 - Chiriqui, 6 - Cocle, 7 Los Santos, 8 - Bocas del Toro, 9 - Darien, 10 - Chorrera, 11 - San Miguelito, 12 - San Blas.

FIG. 7. Transportation and Maintenance Battalion, colours as for figs 5-8.

FIG. 9. Medical Battalion, white brassard with red cross, olive drab helmet with red crosses on white field, dark blue officers hat with silver caduceus, yellow on red unit tab [right upper arm].

FIG. 10. Typical Dignity Battalion (Militia) "T"- shirt, blue on white, many other "T"- shirt styles and colours are known.

FIG. 11. Typical Dignity Battalion cap, red peak and back, white front with blue letters.

[from "TIME" May 22, 1989.]

"According to Bush administration officials, the squads were created with the help from a small group of Cuban Advisers in Panama and modeled on similar Militias formed by Fidel Castro shortly after the Cuban Revolution. In addition to "Dignity", there are the "Christopher Columbus", "St.Michael", "Archangel" and the "Latin Liberation" Battalions. There are at least 20 such Paramilitary Battalions/squads.

Panama Fuerzas de Defensa 1988-89 Uniform Plates

Plate 5
Plate 6
Plate 7
Plate 8

Panama Fuerzas de Defensa 1988-89 Uniform Plates

Plate 9
Plate 10
Plate 11