This was the early '90's when the dollar was worth something. The unit I was in worked very hard and we played just as hard. Panama was/is a little loose with legalities. My team paid a person $200 a month/man to keep us out of trouble. Now imagine going out bar hopping with 25 of your closest buds and you can not get arrested...
The Army used to have a couple of bases in Panama. I was stationed there for a while... Possible one of the best times of my life... I was your age and like you I was an Idiot!