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 DA PAMPHLET 21-75 
 
 ^ 
 
 For Personnel 
 Ordered to 
 The Canal Zone 
 
 (Formerly U.S. Army, 
 Caribbean) 
 
 
 HEADQUARTERS, 
 DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY 
 
 JUNE 1960 
 
Applicable commanders will insure 
 that a copy of this pamphlet is fur- 
 nished each individual under conditions 
 specified below : 
 
 At home station: 
 
 1. To each officer and enlisted per- 
 son upon alert for oversea move- 
 ment. 
 
 2. To each dependent when travel 
 to the oversea area is approved 
 for a date later than that of the 
 sponsor. 
 
 At U.S. Army Oversea Replacement 
 Station: 
 To each individual not previously 
 issued a copy as indicated above. 
 At Transportation areas : 
 
 To each individual not previously 
 issued a copy as indicated above. 
 
PREFACE 
 
 It is the wish of the Commanding 
 General and everyone connected with 
 this command to do everything possible 
 to ease the transition of the new arrival 
 from the continental United States to 
 his new billet in the Panama Canal 
 Zone. The desire to be of service has 
 dictated the preparation of this bro- 
 chure. The intent is to give you as 
 much advance information as possible 
 regarding your prospective home in the 
 Canal Zone. 
 
 iii 
 
PRINCIPAL INSTALLATIONS 
 
 Pacific 
 
 Army Fort Amador (Hq 
 
 USARCARIB). 
 
 Post of Corozal. 
 
 Fort Clayton. 
 
 Post of Quarry Heights (Hq 
 Caribbean Command). 
 
 Fort Kobbe 
 
 Cocoli Housing Area. 
 Navy 15th Naval District Head- 
 quarters. 
 
 Cocoli Housing Area. 
 
 Naval Station, Rodman. 
 
 Farf an-Radio Station and 
 Housing Area. 
 
 Air Force Albrook AFB (Hq CAirC). 
 
 Howard Field. 
 
 Atlantic 
 
 Army Fort Sherman. 
 
 Fort Davis. 
 Fort Gulick. 
 
 Fort Randolph (inactive) 
 France AFB Army Housing 
 Area. 
 
 Navy Coco Solo Naval Station 
 
 (caretaker status). 
 
 iv 
 
*Pam 21-75 
 
 HEADQUAR 
 
 Pamphlet) HEADQUARTERS, 
 
 DEPARTMENT OF THE 
 ARMY 
 Washington 25, D.C., 
 No. 21-75 27 June 1960 
 
 HELPFUL HINTS FOR PERSONNEL 
 ORDERED TO THE CANAL ZONE 
 
 (Formerly U.S. Army, Caribbean) 
 
 Paragraph Page 
 
 Commands 1 2 
 
 Panama Canal Company — Canal 
 
 Zone Government 2 2 
 
 Travel and arrival 3 4 
 
 Automobiles 4 4 
 
 Banking facilities and currency 5 6 
 
 Churches and chapels 6 6 
 
 Climate 7 6 
 
 Clubs: fraternal and civic 8 7 
 
 Commissaries and markets 9 7 
 
 Domestics 10 9 
 
 Electrical appliances 11 9 
 
 Furniture 12 10 
 
 Health conditions 13 11 
 
 Hold baggage 14 11 
 
 Housing 15 12 
 
 Hospital and medical care 16 14 
 
 Libraries and reading materials 17 14 
 
 Insects 18 14 
 
 Licenses 19 15 
 
 Identification 20 16 
 
 Pets 21 17 
 
 Postal service 22 17 
 
 Recreation 23 17 
 
 Motion pictures 24 19 
 
 Theater guild 25 19 
 
 Radio and television 26 19 
 
 Clubs 27 20 
 
 Rust, corrosion, and mold 28 21 
 
 ♦This pamphlet supersedes DA Pam 21-75, 
 7 October 1958. 
 
Paragraph Page 
 
 School system. 29 21 
 
 Telephone and telegraph service.- 30 21 
 
 Transportation 31 22 
 
 I' niform requirements 32 23 
 
 Distribution 33 25 
 
 Conclusion 34 25 
 
 1. Commands 
 
 a. Caribbean Command (CIN- 
 CARIB), the senior headquarters in 
 this theater, is a unified command. It 
 is commanded by a lieutenant general 
 and is located at the Post of Quarry 
 Heights, on the Pacific side of the 
 Isthmus. 
 
 b. The United States Army Carib- 
 bean (USARCARIB) is a component 
 of Caribbean Command with head- 
 quarters at Fort Amador, also in the 
 Pacific area of the Isthmus. On the 
 same command level with USAR- 
 CARIB are the 15th Naval District, 
 with headquarters adjoining USAR- 
 CARIB at Fort Amador, and the Car- 
 ibbean Air Command (CAirC), with 
 headquarters at Albrook Air Force 
 Base, on the Pacific side of the Isthmus. 
 
 2. Panama Canal Company — Canal 
 Zone Government 
 
 a. The Panama Canal Company is a 
 United States Government agency con- 
 cerned with the operation and mainte- 
 nance of the Panama Canal. The 
 Canal Zone Government is an agency 
 concerned with the administration of 
 civil affairs in the Canal Zone. Both 
 agencies operate under one Army Gen- 
 eral Officer who has the dual titles of 
 Governor of the ('anal Zone Govern 
 
ment and president of the Panama 
 Canal Company. 
 
 &. The Canal Zone is a strip of land 
 10 miles wide, extending from the At- 
 lantic Ocean to the Pacific Ocean (55 
 miles) and bordered on both sides by 
 the Republic of Panama. The United 
 States holds perpetual jurisdiction, by 
 treaty rights, over the Zone. With 
 minor exceptions, everything is owned 
 by the United States Government. All 
 residents of the Canal Zone are United 
 States Government employees, military 
 and civilian, with few exceptions. 
 
 c. Principal Canal Zone cities in the 
 Pacific area are Ancon and Balboa 
 which adjoin Panama City, the capital 
 of the Republic of Panama. Cristobal, 
 in the Atlantic area of the Isthmus, ad- 
 joins the city of Colon, Republic of 
 Panama, 
 
 d. The Pacific and Atlantic area 
 cities are connected by highway and the 
 Panama Railroad. There are no 
 boundary restrictions between the Re- 
 public of Panama and the Canal Zone, 
 allowing the public free access to either. 
 
 e. The Republic of Panama is situ- 
 ated approximately between 77° and 
 83° longitude west of Greenwich and 
 between 7° and 9°30' latitude north of 
 the Equator. It is bounded on the 
 north by the Caribbean Sea, on the east 
 by Colombia, on the south by the Pacific 
 Ocean, and on the west by Costa Rica. 
 Panama is traversed by rugged moun- 
 tain ranges with altitudes reaching 
 11,400 feet. 
 
3. Travel and Arrival 
 
 a. It is expected that the conduct and 
 dress of military personnel and their 
 dependents while traveling via com- 
 mercial vessels or aircraft will be such 
 as to reflect favorably upon themselves 
 and the Army. It is the responsibility 
 of each individual to maintain the 
 proper standards of conduct and dress 
 even though traveling under other than 
 direct Army control. Individuals 
 should inform themselves of the customs 
 and practices relating to suitable attire 
 when traveling aboard commercial 
 liners. 
 
 6. Military personnel and dependents 
 generally arrive in the Canal Zone by 
 ship. However, whether you arrive by 
 ship at Cristobal or by plane at a Pacific 
 side airfield, someone from USAR- 
 CARIB will be on hand to meet you. 
 For those who intend to fly com- 
 mercially and arrive at Tocumen Air- 
 port, Republic of Panama, it is im- 
 portant that the command be notified 
 of the day and hour of arrival, the 
 flight number and the name of the air- 
 line. Personnel on hand to meet you 
 will offer every assistance in getting 
 you settled in your quarters whether in 
 a BOQ, permanent or temporary hous- 
 ing, or a hotel. 
 
 4. Automobiles 
 
 a. An automobile is highly desirable 
 for shopping and recreational purposes. 
 In addit ion, an automobile may be neces- 
 sary for travel to and from your duty 
 station, as quarters may be assigned at 
 
posts other than the place of duty be- 
 cause of local housing conditions. 
 
 b. Automobiles may be shipped to 
 the Canal Zone or purchased locally, 
 duty free. Fabric convertible tops tend 
 to deteriorate rapidly, due to the humid 
 climate. Metal parts must be treated 
 against rust. Undercoating is essential 
 and is available locally for about $25. 
 
 c. Most dealers of American-made 
 cars operate well equipped garages 
 where service is adequate. The Panama 
 Canal Motor Transportation Division 
 has an excellent automobile repair shop ; 
 however, auto parts are not stocked, 
 and as a surtax of 10 percent has been 
 added to all work, cost of repairs has 
 increased proportionately. The Ex- 
 change operates well equipped garage 
 facilities, stocking common items such 
 as tailpipes, mufflers, etc. Major parts 
 are obtainable through the Exchange 
 from local dealers at a charge of about 
 10 percent over stateside prices. Steam 
 cleaning, undercoating, painting, and 
 upholstering services are available. 
 
 d. Check your automobile insurance 
 before you leave your present station. 
 Some policies written in the United 
 States do not provide coverage in the 
 Canal Zone and the Republic of Pan- 
 ama. If your car has not been com- 
 pletely paid for, and there is a lien on 
 it, written permission from the lien- 
 holder (bank or finance company) au- 
 thorizing oversea shipment must be pre- 
 sented at the time of delivery of the 
 vehicle to the Army terminal. If your 
 car has been paid for and there is no 
 
 555713 O - 60 
 
lien on it, be sure the certificate of title 
 or other evidence of ownership is in 
 your possession. 
 
 5. Banking Facilities and Currency 
 
 United States currency is used in the 
 Canal Zone and the Republic of Pan- 
 ama. Both the Chase Manhattan Bank 
 of New York and the First National 
 City Bank of New York have branches 
 in the Zone, as well as in Panama City. 
 If you use a checking account, it is sug- 
 gested that you use one of the local 
 banks in order to simplify your fi- 
 nances. A charge is made for cashing 
 checks drawn on stateside banks. How- 
 ever, if you have stateside obligations 
 that you pay by check, it is advisable to 
 maintain a stateside checking account 
 since banks at home charge a fee for 
 cashing checks drawn on Canal Zone or 
 Panamanian banks. 
 
 6. Churches and Chapels 
 
 Every Army post has its chapel and 
 services are conducted for all faiths. In 
 addition, churches of various denom- 
 inations are located in the civilian com- 
 munities in the Canal Zone. 
 
 7. Climate 
 
 The Canal Zone has a tropical climate 
 throughout the year, but it is not op- 
 pressively hot in areas exposed to the 
 full sweep of the prevailing winds. 
 The Zone has two seasons: dry, from 
 January through April, and wet, from 
 May through December. During the 
 wet season there are abundant rainfalls 
 similar to cloudbursts which occur on 
 
an average of once every 24 hours, 
 especially in September, October, and 
 November. Occasionally, rain con- 
 tinues a full day but it is unusual. The 
 average annual rainfall is 70 inches. 
 The particularly high humidity makes 
 the temperature of 70° to 90° more 
 noticeable than in dry climates. Pan- 
 ama is not in a hurricane area and 
 winds exceeding 30 to 40 miles an hour 
 are very rare. 
 
 8. Clubs: Fraternal and Civic 
 
 Practically all fraternal orders, civic 
 clubs, and veterans' organizations are 
 represented on the Isthmus. These in- 
 clude — 
 
 Fraternal Orders 
 
 Abou Saad Temple 
 
 B'nai B'rith 
 
 Elks 
 
 Knights of Columbus 
 
 Masonic Temples 
 
 Odd Fellows 
 
 Veterans' Organizations 
 
 Veterans of Foreign Wars 
 
 American Legion 
 
 Disabled American Veterans 
 
 9. Commissaries and Markets 
 
 a. General. Local Army commissar- 
 ies stock varieties of food comparable 
 to Army commissaries in the United 
 States. The Canal Zone commissaries 
 operated by the Panama Canal Com- 
 pany principally for civilian employees 
 are comparable to department stores in 
 the United States. Military personnel 
 are authorized to patronize the Canal 
 
Zone commissaries. In addition to 
 Army and Panama Canal commissar- 
 ies, the Isthmus has a few Chinese gar- 
 dens where a limited variety of fresh 
 fruit and vegetables is always available. 
 
 b. Clothing and Shoes. Summer 
 clothing is worn throughout the year. 
 The first rule is to have the very light- 
 est clothing, and avoid linings whenever 
 possible. Woolens and furs should be 
 left in the United States when con- 
 venient. There are no facilities in the 
 Canal Zone for storing furs. On the 
 other hand, it is wise to bring a few 
 woolen items as you may occasionally 
 visit neighboring high altitudes or re- 
 turn to the United States during win- 
 ter. Silks, woolens, and leather goods 
 are all affected by the intense humidity. 
 Most wearing apparel is available 
 locally in quality and quantity desired. 
 Sizes and varieties of colors and styles 
 are limited in comparison to those to 
 be had in the United States. 
 
 c. Storage of Clothing. Overcoats, 
 galoshes, heavy woolen blankets, and 
 other stateside winter items are useless 
 in the Zone. High humidity and in- 
 sects make storages of such articles im- 
 practical even though inspected and 
 cleaned periodically. 
 
 d. Ladies Clothes. Ladies should 
 bring a good supply of light cotton 
 dresses for home and street wear as well 
 as formal dresses for parties, dinners, 
 and Other Social gatherings. Wardrobes 
 may also include beachwear, shorts, 
 sundresses, and slacks, dloves and hats 
 are usually worn to church and sonic 
 
official entertainment. The Main Ex- 
 changes usually carry a good selection 
 of summer dresses, hats, gloves, hose, 
 and lingerie at popular prices. From 
 experience, ladies have usually found 
 that shoes sold in Panamanian stores fit 
 rather poorly. The Post Exchange and 
 the Panama Canal commissaries both 
 handle ladies' shoes ; however, they are 
 rather limited to brands and styles. 
 Those who sew will find bargains in 
 linen and other quality materials in 
 Panama. Coats and jackets may be 
 needed when traveling outside the 
 Canal Zone and the immediate vicinity. 
 6. Children's Clothes. For the most 
 part, children's clothing is in adequate 
 supply in the Panama Canal commis- 
 saries. Shoes are not always available 
 in all wanted styles and sizes. 
 
 10. Domestics 
 
 Domestic help is chiefly English- 
 speaking of West Indian or Panama- 
 nian origin. Wages start as low as $25 
 a month, while a combination cook, 
 laundress, and maid is paid up to $50 a 
 month. Servants are subject to physi- 
 cal examination upon being hired and 
 annually thereafter. 
 
 11. Electrical Appliances 
 
 a. All military posts in the Canal 
 Zone have 60-cycle electric current. 
 
 b. The Army and Air Force Ex- 
 change handles a wide variety of house- 
 hold appliances. Washing machines, 
 Hi-Fi's, television sets, refrigerators, 
 deep freezes, etc., are available in a 
 limited variety; however, any style, 
 
brand, or size is available on special 
 order. 
 
 12. Furniture 
 
 a. Panama is one of the few oversea 
 stations where a complete basic "pack- 
 age" of household furniture is provided 
 the service family. Consequently, 
 weight allowance for shipments of 
 household goods for personnel assigned 
 to Government quarters within the 
 Canal Zone is reduced to 2,000 pounds 
 or 25 percent of the allowance author- 
 ized by Joint Travel Regulations, 
 whichever is greater. 
 
 6. You will still need china, cooking 
 utensils, glassware, linen, table silver, 
 decorative objects, and the other items 
 which transform a house into a home. 
 Many organizations here supply new- 
 comers with "hospitality kits," contain- 
 ing basic items, which can be borrowed 
 until household goods arrive. 
 
 c. Overstuffed furniture will develop 
 a musty odor during the rainy season 
 unless it is cared for regularly. Unless 
 specifically built for the Tropics, pianos 
 should be covered with a coat of special 
 varnish to prevent damage by humidity 
 and must be equipped with an inside 
 electric heating element to keep the in- 
 terior of the instrument dry. 
 
 d. Philippine rattan furniture, well 
 suited for the Tropics, is mailable 
 locally. Native mahogany furniture 
 which can he made to order is also avail- 
 able. 
 
 c Rugs are used sparingly as many 
 quarters have tile Boors. Drapes and 
 
 10 
 
curtains are used occasionally but re- 
 duce air circulation. Light drapes only 
 should be considered for Panama. 
 Metal furniture, if kept painted or 
 enameled, will not rust. 
 
 /. The numerous Hindu shops in 
 Panama City sell oriental items, such 
 as camphor chests, desks, etc. The main 
 Post Exchanges handle a limited 
 variety of rattan and oriental furniture, 
 as well as South American made rugs. 
 
 g. Although the conditions described 
 above may sound discouraging, house- 
 hold goods need not be a source of 
 particular concern if they are cared for 
 constantly. 
 
 13. Health Conditions 
 
 a. Sanitation and Health Control. 
 The Health Department of the Panama 
 Canal has jurisdiction over sanitation 
 in the Canal Zone, and cooperates w^ith 
 Panamanian authorities in the super- 
 vision of public health and quarantine 
 in the cities of Panama and Colon. The 
 responsible authorities have been emi- 
 nently successful in combating disease 
 typical of a not so well guarded tropical 
 country. 
 
 b. Malaria. Malaria is well con- 
 trolled in the areas under the super- 
 vision of the military and the Canal 
 Zone authorities ; it is easily avoided if 
 continuing attention is given to pre- 
 ventive measures. 
 
 14. Hold Baggage 
 
 a. Your present duty station should 
 provide you w T ith information concern- 
 ing travel to the Canal Zone, including 
 
 11 
 
a statement of baggage allowance. 
 Military personnel may expect to re- 
 ceive their hold baggage in about 30 
 days or less. You will be notified of its 
 arrival and told where to pick it up. 
 Hold baggage is subject to customs in- 
 spection. 
 
 b. Dependents hold baggage usually 
 is loaded on the ship on which they 
 travel if the trip is made by sea, or on 
 the first ship leaving for USARCARIB 
 after the departure of those who come 
 by air. Items to be considered for hold 
 baggage should include what you will 
 need immediately to use from the time 
 of your arrival until your household 
 goods arrive, which is generally within 
 3 or 4 months at the maximum. 
 
 15. Housing 
 
 a. If quarters are expected to be 
 available on a military reservation upon 
 your arrival, your dependents may ac- 
 company you providing advance ap- 
 plication for concurrent travel has been 
 authorized by the Commanding Gen- 
 eral, USARCARIB. Concurrent travel 
 is now approved for all officers and en- 
 listed personnel in grades E-8 and E-D. 
 Present policy authorises quarters to be 
 provided for enlisted personnel in 
 grades E-5 through B-0 and all officers 
 and warrant officers who may complete 
 a full tour in the command. In the 
 event that you do not receive concur- 
 rent travel, your name will he placed on 
 a waiting list for assignment of quarters 
 after arrival in the command. The 
 
 priority is based on grade, date of rank, 
 
 12 
 
and month of arrival of the sponsor in 
 the command. 
 
 b. Government housing, both perma- 
 nent and temporary type, is lacking for 
 the present needs of the command. As- 
 signment for enlisted personnel to 
 permanent or temporary housing varies 
 according to rank, size of family, loca- 
 tion of the housing and other variable 
 factors. Waiting period for both 
 officers and enlisted personnel who do 
 not receive concurrent travel may vary 
 from 3 to 6 months, or longer for quar- 
 ters located at the duty station. US- 
 ARCARIB utilizes housing that may 
 be located 50 miles distant from the 
 duty station. Government transporta- 
 tion is usually provided military per- 
 sonnel in such cases. 
 
 c. Military personnel normally may 
 be authorized to reside off military res- 
 ervations, provided that quarters meet 
 standards of sanitation as prescribed by 
 Army medical authorities and that the 
 sponsor is financially capable of main- 
 taining his dependents without expense 
 to the Government. Such quarters may 
 range in rental rates from $65 to $100, 
 and more, per month, plus $20 or $30 
 for utilities. In this regard, concurrent 
 travel is not authorized based on ac- 
 ceptance of housing on the local 
 economy. 
 
 d. The Department of the Army has 
 authorized a bachelor NOO quarters 
 program in USARCARIB as an experi- 
 mental project. Based on findings here, 
 the Department of the Army will deter- 
 
 13 
 
mine the feasibility of adopting such a 
 program on a worldwide basis. 
 
 16. Hospital and Medical Care 
 
 Gorgas Hospital, located in the 
 Pacific area, is operated by the Canal 
 Zone Government. Gorgas Hospital 
 provides medical services for all mili- 
 tary personnel and their dependents in 
 the Pacific area of the Isthmus, while 
 the Canal Zone Hospital, Coco Solo, 
 cares for personnel in the Atlantic area. 
 Both hospitals are well staffed and pro- 
 vide the necessary medical care. Medi- 
 cal dispensaries located on Army posts 
 also provide limited medical care for 
 dependents of military personnel. 
 
 17. Libraries and Reading Materials 
 
 Libraries for use of military person- 
 nel and their dependents are located on 
 all military reservations and in adjacent 
 civilian communities. Daily local Eng- 
 lish printed newspapers are available in 
 the libraries and at newsstands or by 
 subscription. Current magazines are 
 available in libraries, Post Exchanges 
 and Panama Canal Service Center's. 
 
 18. Insects 
 
 a. Insect control is achieved at mili- 
 tary installations by continual drainage 
 of breeding sites, misting and fogging 
 regularly on post, and applying residual 
 insecticides to buildings. As a result, 
 few disease-carrying insects or pest in- 
 sects are found in the ('anal Zone. 
 
 b. Effective insecticide sprays are 
 sold locally for use in bureau drawers 
 
 14 
 
and closets to protect clothing, fabrics, 
 books, etc. 
 
 19. Licenses 
 
 a. If you live in the Canal Zone your 
 automobile must be registered in the 
 Zone, while personnel residing in the 
 Republic of Panama register their ve- 
 hicles in Panama. Canal Zone plates 
 cost $5 per year for all makes of cars. 
 The cost for Panamanian registrations 
 is $3.02 plus $2 tax, or a total of $5.02 
 annually. Dual registration is not per- 
 mitted. 
 
 &. It is necessary, however, to have 
 both a Panama and a Canal Zone driv- 
 er's license. Your United States opera- 
 tor's license, if valid at the time of your 
 arrival, is accepted as evidence of your 
 driving ability but you must pass a 
 written driver's examination to secure 
 your Canal Zone license, which costs $1. 
 The Republic of Panama also charges 
 $1 for an operator's license but no writ- 
 ten tests are required. 
 
 c. New drivers must take a driving 
 test in addition to the written examina- 
 tion. Dependents may be licensed to 
 drive if they are at least 18 years of 
 age. Dependents 17 years of age may 
 qualify after they have completed the 
 driver's course given at the Canal Zone 
 high schools and have the written con- 
 sent of both parents. 
 
 d. In order to drive on a military 
 reservation, you will need a post tag. 
 To obtain this you must present both 
 driver's licenses, a car inspection certif- 
 icate obtained from any local Post Ex- 
 change garage, and your insurance 
 
 15 
 
policy showing that you have the fol- 
 lowing minimum coverage: $5,000 — 
 $10,000— $5,000. Enlisted personnel 
 also require approval from their com- 
 manding officer before submitting ap- 
 plications for post tags. 
 
 20. Identification 
 
 a. All military personnel and de- 
 pendents over 10 years of age must 
 carry identification cards which require 
 passport size photographs (1M>" x 
 1%")- Photos must be full face. 
 
 b. In addition to the identification 
 photographs you should have in your 
 possession a birth certificate for your- 
 self and for all members of your family 
 who accompany you. Birth certificates 
 are required for children who enter 
 school for the first time, and applica- 
 tions for passports to visit foreign coun- 
 tries must be substantiated with a copy 
 of the birth certificate. 
 
 c. Although neither a passport nor a 
 visa is required for entry into the Canal 
 Zone, you will need at least 10 pictures 
 for varous passes and permits. They 
 should be full face view with light back- 
 ground and printed on regulation 
 photographic paper. The "do it your- 
 self* pictures taken in many stateside 
 variety stores are not acceptable since 
 they are not on velox-type paper and 
 also have a tendency to fade. Photo- 
 graphic size requirements vary; how- 
 ever, most agencies will accept pictures 
 which have slight variations. Photos 
 should be no larger than l-'* 4 by l : Vj inch 
 
 overall (including white border), with 
 
 the subject's face shown 1 inch long. 
 
 16 
 
21. Pets 
 
 You may bring your dog, cat, or other 
 pet to the Canal Zone. The law, how- 
 ever, requires that pets be consigned to 
 the Canal Zone quarantine station at 
 Corozal, C.Z., for a period of 4 months. 
 There is a charge of 50 cents a day for 
 board. You may visit your pet daily. 
 
 22. Postal Service 
 
 The United States maintains post 
 offices at the major Canal Zone com- 
 munities and military reservations. 
 There is no house delivery of mail, thus 
 making it necessary to have mail ad- 
 dressed either to the sponsor's military 
 address or to a post office box. Airmail 
 service is provided on a daily schedule 
 between the United States and the 
 Canal Zone. Many personnel elect to 
 use airmail service in preference to the 
 slower mail service rendered by ships. 
 Panama Canal Zone postage is used ex- 
 clusively for outgoing mail ; therefore, 
 it is suggested that no United States 
 postage stamps be brought to the .Canal 
 Zone. Conventional-type gummed 
 mailing envelopes are not convenient in 
 humid climates; nongummed and rub- 
 ber-gummed envelopes are used and are 
 obtained locally. 
 
 23. Recreation 
 
 a. General, Recreation and enter- 
 tainment in the Canal Zone have no 
 seasonal interruption and are as diverse 
 and varied as one can find in any mod- 
 erate size stateside city. 
 
 b. Fishing. The word "Panama" 
 means "abundance of fish" and world 
 
 17 
 
records bear out the truth of this phrase. 
 The Bay of Panama affords excellent 
 deep sea fishing of a wide variety. Sail- 
 fish and black and striped marlin are 
 caught around the Pearl Islands, about 
 60 miles southeast of Panama City. 
 
 c. Fresh Water Fishing. For those 
 preferring fresh water fishing, there 
 are the Canal lakes of Madden and 
 Gatun from which fishermen have re- 
 ported landing snook, tarpon, and fresh 
 water varieties. 
 
 d. Hunting. For the hunter, there is 
 no limit to the availability of game and 
 it may be shot the year round. 
 
 e. Riding. Horses may be rented at 
 local riding clubs. 
 
 /. Roller Skating. There is a roller 
 skating rink in operation in Balboa, 
 available to military personnel and 
 their dependents. 
 
 g. Swimming. Olympic-type pools 
 are available to all personnel. In addi- 
 tion to fresh water swimming in the 
 pools, there are several beaches. Fort 
 Amador and Fort Kobbe in the Pacific 
 area have the only beaches with shark 
 nets. 
 
 h. Beach Resorts. In addition to the 
 facilities on the military posts, there are 
 several civilian beach resorts in the in- 
 terior which are frequented by military 
 personnel. 
 
 i. Motoring. By American stand- 
 ards, the Republic of Panama and the 
 Canal Zone do not have many modern 
 highways. The principal paved high- 
 ways are the Boyd-Rooeevell Highway, 
 connect ing the cil ies of Colon and Pan- 
 
 is 
 
ama, a distance of 50 miles; a section 
 of the Inter- American Highway from 
 Panama to Rio Hato, about 80 miles; 
 and a highway to the National Airport 
 at Tocumen, 18 miles from Panama. 
 No through serviceable roads exist be- 
 tween the United States and Panama, 
 making motoring between these two 
 points impossible. Many of the trunk 
 roads leading off the Inter- American 
 Highway, particularly during the rainy 
 season, are impassable. 
 
 24. Motion Pictures 
 
 a. Each post has a movie theater 
 where the latest stateside releases are 
 shown and different films are presented 
 almost daily. Most of the theaters are 
 air conditioned and have wide screens. 
 
 b. Military personnel and their de- 
 pendents are welcome to visit the movie 
 theaters operated ,at Panama Canal 
 Company service centers on both sides 
 of the Isthmus. 
 
 c. Troops assigned to units which go 
 into the field for maneuvers or to guard 
 vital installations are furnished with 
 free 16-mm movies which are regular 
 full length Hollywood features. 
 
 25. Theater Guild 
 
 Members of the military may join the 
 Theater Guild, a nonprofit amateur or- 
 ganization which enjoys an excellent 
 reputation locally. 
 
 26. Radio and Television 
 
 a. The command's radio and televi- 
 sion outlet, the Caribbean Forces Net- 
 work (CFN) at Fort Clayton, is an 
 
 19 
 
affiliate of the Armed Forces Radio and 
 Television Service, staffed primarily by 
 military personnel. CFN Eadio is on 
 the air 18 hours a day broadcasting a 
 variety of programs including most of 
 the big network shows transcribed in 
 the United States, and shortwave trans- 
 missions of important news and sports 
 events direct from the USA. 
 
 b. Telecasting is carried on 65 hours 
 weekly. Locally produced shows share 
 the air time with kinescopes of the most 
 popular stateside shows. CFN-TV at 
 present transmits only on Channels 8 
 and 10. Your set will not be serviceable 
 here if it does not receive these channels. 
 
 c. There are about 40 radio stations 
 in the Republic of Panama, one 
 of which transmits entirely in the Eng- 
 lish language. Air time is divided be- 
 tween news, drama, music, and local 
 coverage. 
 
 27. Clubs 
 
 In addition to officer and NCO clubs 
 on each post, enlisted service clubs are 
 operated by Special Services on the 
 larger posts. There are several avoca- 
 tional clubs active in the ("anal Zone. 
 The Diablo Camera Club meets 
 monthly. Membership is by invitation. 
 The Caribbean Stamp Club meets twice 
 
 B month. The Canal Zone Orchid So- 
 ciety meets monthly. The Star and 
 ( !ircle Square Dance Club holds regular 
 meetings, memberships being by imita- 
 tion. Various other such social clubs 
 
 are available to those interested. 
 
 20 
 
28. Rust, Corrosion, and Mold 
 
 Because of the high humidity, rust 
 and corrosion develop more rapidly in 
 the Canal Zone than in the cooler, drier 
 climates. Metal utensils, guns, golf 
 clubs, brass, and silverware require fre- 
 quent attention. Neglected leather 
 goods and books will become molded 
 unless wiped frequently. All these 
 items can, however, be maintained in 
 first-class condition if stored in dry 
 closets and given periodic attention. 
 
 29. School System 
 
 Canal Zone schools are comparable to 
 United States schools in curricula, 
 terms, qualification of instructors, and 
 vacations. Canal Zone communities 
 and some military posts have grade 
 schools; however, high schools are 
 located in Balboa and Coco Solo only. 
 The Canal Zone Junior College is 
 located at Balboa. Birth certificates 
 and report cards from the last school 
 attended should be presented when new 
 students enroll in Canal Zone schools. 
 
 30. Telephone and Telegraph Service 
 
 a. Class "B ? ' telephone service is 
 available to all family-type and bache- 
 lor officer quarters. Calls initiated on a 
 military post to any other point within 
 the Canal Zone or adjacent cities in the 
 Republic of Panama are considered 
 local calls. 
 
 h. Long-distance radio-telephone 
 service from the Zone to the USA and 
 many other parts of the world is avail- 
 able. Rates on stateside calls for a 3- 
 minute period vary from $7 to $10, de- 
 
 21 
 
pending on the time of day and the dis- 
 tance involved. This long-distance 
 service is available from 0700 to 2300 
 hours daily; night rates, but not holi- 
 day rates, are in effect. 
 
 c. There is excellent cable service be- 
 tween the USA and Panama, operated 
 by the ALL American Cables and 
 Radio, Inc., and the Tropical Radio 
 and Telegraph Company. Cost de- 
 pends on the locality to which the mes- 
 sage is sent, usually 35 to 40 cents per 
 word. Night letters range from $3.85 
 to $4.40 for a minimum of 22 words, 
 depending on the destination. 
 
 d. Military personnel and their fam- 
 ilies also are offered a series of Expedi- 
 tionary Force Messages. You may 
 choose up to three fixed texts and the 
 cost of sending such a cable anywhere 
 in the United States or Puerto Rico is 
 60 cents. 
 
 e. An extensive amateur radio setup 
 is in operation in the Canal Zone. Serv- 
 icemen are permitted to utilize these 
 facilities without charge. 
 
 31. Transportation 
 
 a. Public transportation consists 
 principally of buses. These are not the 
 most comfortable or reliable transporta- 
 tion between Army installations and 
 the Republic but they are the least ex- 
 pensive and serve all Canal Zone com- 
 munities and Army posts. Taxis are 
 costly, serve only the terminal city areas 
 and are not equipped with meters. 
 
 b. Sea transportation to and from the 
 United States is available on Military 
 Sea Transport Service vessels on per- 
 
 22 
 
manent change of station, and on space 
 available basis for those desiring to re- 
 turn to the United States on leave. In 
 addition, the Panama Line, owned and 
 operated by the Panama Canal Com- 
 pany, maintains a weekly sendee be- 
 tween Cristobal, Canal Zone, and New 
 York City. The Grace Line and the 
 United Fruit Company have regular 
 sailings between ports in the United 
 States and Cristobal. 
 
 c. The Military Air Transport Serv- 
 ice maintains regularly scheduled 
 flights between Albrook Air Force Base 
 and Charleston Air Force Base, 
 Charleston, S.C, Flights on MATS 
 are based on priority; first on the list 
 are military personnel on official orders. 
 In addition, the Pan American Air- 
 ways and Braniff Airways maintain 
 excellent passenger schedules between 
 Panama and the United States. Fares 
 are reasonable, especially if one avails 
 himself of tourist flights. 
 
 d. Neighboring cities situated at al- 
 titudes where the air is cooler than in 
 Panama are easily accessible by air 
 routes and flights. 
 
 32. Uniform Requirements 
 
 a. The Army summer uniform cotton 
 khaki is worn all year. Military per- 
 sonnel should have a minimum of eight 
 sets to allow time for laundering while 
 a fresh one is worn each day. These 
 can be brought with you or purchased 
 here. Enlisted personnel must bring all 
 items issued, including woolen clothing. 
 Two sets of the cotton uniform (abbre- 
 
 23 
 
viated) are required. At present this 
 uniform is optional for duty wear. 
 Also optional is the cotton khaki shirt 
 (abbreviated) for wear with the long 
 khaki trousers (conventional). The 
 tropical sun helmet may be worn by en- 
 listed and officer personnel with the 
 duty uniform (conventional), and is 
 mandatory for wear with the cotton 
 khaki shirt (abbreviated). Both the 
 helmet and the cotton uniform (abbre- 
 viated) are available at clothing stores 
 here. Officers are required to have at 
 lease one tropical worsted uniform and 
 blouse to wear at prescribed functions. 
 All officers, except those non-Regular 
 Army officers who have 2 years or less 
 to serve on their current tour of active 
 duty or category commitment, will own 
 the white dress and white mess uni- 
 forms and wear them on appropriate 
 occasions. 
 
 &. Civilian clothes may be worn dur- 
 ing off-duty hours. 
 
 c. Ample stocks of uniforms and ac- 
 cessories are on sale at Army Quarter- 
 master clothing outlet stores and Post 
 Exchanges. Readymade uniform and 
 civilian clothes are available in the 
 main Post Exchanges. Exchange con- 
 cessionaires are approved for the tai- 
 loring of uniforms. 
 
 d. Since the winter uniform is re- 
 quired for all military personnel return- 
 ing to the continental United States by 
 Government transportation during the 
 period from 15 September through 15 
 May, it is advisable that officers include 
 at least one complete winter uniform. 
 
 24 
 
33. Distribution 
 
 Applicable commanders will insure 
 that a copy of this pamphlet is fur- 
 nished to each officer and enlisted per- 
 son and their dependents upon alert 
 for assignment to the U.S. Army 
 Caribbean. 
 
 34. Conclusion 
 
 This information has been assembled 
 in a sincere effort to assist military per- 
 sonnel and their dependents in making 
 their personnel plans for travel to and 
 assignment in the Caribbean Command. 
 
 [AG 091.4 (18 Feb 60)] 
 
 25 
 
By Order of Wither M. Brucker, Sec- 
 retary of the Army : 
 
 L. L. LEMNITZER, 
 General, United States Army, 
 Official : Chief of Staff. 
 
 R. V. LEE, 
 Major General, United States Army, 
 
 The Adjutant General. 
 Distribution : 
 Active Army: 
 DCSOPS (5) 
 DCSPER (15) 
 ACSI (5) 
 DCSLOG (10) 
 ACSRC (5) 
 CLL (5) 
 CoA (5) 
 CRD (5) 
 CA (5) 
 CINFO (15) 
 TIG (5) 
 TJAG (5) 
 CXGB (5) 
 CUSARROTC 
 
 (5) 
 CofCh (5) 
 CofF (5) 
 CMH (5) 
 TPMG (5) 
 Tech Stf, DA 
 
 (25) 
 USCONARC 
 
 (25) 
 US ARADOOM 
 
 (25) 
 US ARADCOM 
 
 Rgn (15) 
 OS Maj Comd 
 (25) except 
 USARCARIB 
 (100) 
 
 NG: State AG (5) 
 USAR: None. 
 
 For explanation of abbreviations used, 
 see AR 320-50. 
 
 MDW (25) 
 Armies 
 
 (CONUS) 
 
 (25) except 
 
 First US 
 
 Army (27) 
 Corps (CONUS) 
 
 (25) 
 Div (CONUS) 
 
 (25) 
 Bde (CONUS) 
 
 (25) 
 Regt / Gp / bg 
 
 CONUS (20) 
 Bn (CONUS) 
 
 (15) 
 Co/Btry 
 
 (CONUS) (2) 
 Svc Colleges 
 
 (20) 
 Br Svc Sch 
 
 (CONUS) (5) 
 USAOSREPL- 
 
 STA, Ft Dix, 
 
 NJ (100) 
 
 For sale by the Superintendent of Documents, 
 
 U.S. Government Printing Office 
 
 Washington 2f), D.C. — Price 15 cents 
 
 26 GPO : I960 O - 555713 
 
p i o ( . v-u . -m -nr/^/<Jk : I 
 
 Pam 21-75 
 C 1 
 
 HELPFUL HINTS FOR PERSONNEL 
 ORDERED TO THE CANAL ZONE 
 
 (Formerly U.S. Army f Caribbean) 
 
 Changes] HEADQUARTERS, 
 
 DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY 
 No. 1 J Washington 25. D.C., 28 March 1961 
 
 DA Pam 21-75, 27 June I960, is 
 changed as follows: 
 
 9. Commissaries and Markets 
 
 d. (Superseded) Ladies' Clothes. 
 
 Ladies should bring a good supply of light 
 cotton dresses for home and street wear as 
 well as formal dresses for parties, dinners, 
 and other social gatherings. Wardrobes 
 may also include beachwear, shorts, sun- 
 dresses, and slacks. Gloves and hats are 
 usually worn to church and some official 
 functions. The Main Exchanges usually 
 carry a good selection of summer dresses, 
 hats, gloves, hose, and lingeries at popular 
 prices. From experience, ladies have usu- 
 ally found that shoes sold in Panamanian 
 stores fit United States residents' feet 
 poorly. The Post Exchange and the Pan- 
 ama Canal commissaries both handle ladies' 
 shoes; however, they are rather limited to 
 brands and styles. Those who sew will 
 find bargains in linen and other quality 
 materials in Panama. Coats and jackets 
 may be useful when traveling outside the 
 Canal Zone and the immediate vicinity. 
 ***** 
 
 32. Uniform Requirements 
 
 a. (Superseded) The Army summer 
 
 1 
 
uniform cotton khaki is worn all year. 
 Military personnel should have a minimum 
 of eight sets to allow time for laundering 
 while a fresh one is worn each day. En- 
 listed personnel must bring all items issued, 
 including woolen clothing. Two sets of 
 the cotton uniform (abbreviated) are re- 
 quired. At present this uniform is optional 
 for duty wear. Also optional is the cotton 
 khaki shirt (abbreviated) for wear with the 
 long khaki trousers (conventional). The 
 tropical sun helmet may be worn by en- 
 listed and officer personnel with the duty 
 uniform. Both the helmet and the uni- 
 forms are available at clothing stores here. 
 Officers are required to have in their pos- 
 session at least one tropical worsted uniform 
 and blouse to wear at prescribed functions. 
 All officers, except those non-Regular Army 
 officers who have 2 years or less to serve 
 on their current tour of active duty, will 
 have in their possession the white dress and 
 white mess uniforms, and wear them on 
 appropriate occasions. 
 
 ***** 
 
 33. Distribution 
 
 (Superseded) As shown inside front 
 cover. 
 
[AG 091.4 (15 Feb 61)] 
 
 By Order of the Secretary of the Army: 
 
 G. H. DECKER, 
 
 General, United States Army, 
 Official: Chief of Staff. 
 
 R. V. LEE, 
 
 Major General, United States Army, 
 
 The Adjutant General. 
 
 Distribution: 
 
 Active Army: 
 DCSOPS (5) 
 DCSPER (15) 
 ACSI (5) 
 DCSLOG (10) 
 ACSRC (5) 
 CLL (5) 
 CoA (5) 
 CRD (5) 
 CCA (5) 
 CINFO (15) 
 TIG (5) 
 TJAG (5) 
 CNGB (5) 
 CARROTC (5) 
 CofCh (5) 
 CofF (5) 
 CMH (5) 
 TQMG (5) 
 Tech Stf, DA 
 
 (25) 
 USCONARC 
 (25) 
 
 NG: State AG (5). 
 
 US ARADCOM (25) 
 US ARADCOM Rgn 
 
 (15) 
 OS Maj Comd (25) 
 
 except USARCARIB 
 
 (100) 
 MDW (25) 
 Armies (CONUS) (25) 
 
 except First USA (27) 
 Corps (CONUS) (25) 
 Div (CONUS) (25) 
 Bde (CONUS) (25) 
 Regt/Gp/Bg (CONUS) 
 
 (20) 
 Bn (CONUS) 415) 
 Co/Btry (CONUS) (2) 
 Br Svc Sch (CONUS) 
 
 (5) 
 USAOSREPLSTA 
 
 (Ft Dix) (100) 
 USA Trans Terminal 
 
 Comd, Atlantic (50) 
 
 USAR: None. 
 
 For explanation of abbreviations used, see 
 AR 320-50. 
 
 U.S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE : 1961 — 586647 
 
UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA 
 
 3 1262 09119 0982