The Philippine Scouts - U.S. Army 1900 - 1946 The Philippine Scouts (PS) were composed of Filipino's enlisted as members of the regular United States Army. The units were generally officered by Americans and a few Filipino graduates of the U.S.M.A. at West Point. The enlisted men were paid at less than regular US Army rates. However, in the Philippines this made them among the better paid people in their home villages. With only one exception the Philippine Scout formations were segregated. By law their service was restricted to the Philippines except in time of war.
Fort William McKinley, was established in the Philippines during the Filipino-American war in 1901 when the whole land south of Pasig River down to Alabang was declared a U.S. Military Reservation. During the World War II era, it was where USAFFE had its headquarters for the Philippine Department and the Philippine Division. The bulk of the Philippine Division was stationed here and this was where, under the National Defense Act of 1935, specialized artillery training was conducted. The 3rd Battalion of the 31st Infantry Regiment was formed here, in 1916. Until December of 1920, this was the home of the 31st INF.
