Reenacting as a Dismounted Philippine Scout
By Sean Conejos
Philippine Scout reenactors pose by a Scout car (Photo by Philip Garcia)
Reenacting as a Combat Dismounted Non-Commissioned Officer or Officer
Reenacting as an Enlistedman Wearing a Class A Uniform (1929-1938)
Reenacting as a Combat Dismounted Enlistedman
The gear of the Philippine Scouts evolved as the U.S. Army evolved its equipment. Being in the farthest outpost from the continental U.S., new supplies often trickled to the Philippine Scouts. So by the time the Philippine Scouts fought in WWII, much of the equipment and gear were issued from WWI. If you are looking to reenact as a WWII Philippine Scout Infantryman, Engineer, Signal Corpsman, even a Medic, the following is a list of gear they brought with them to defend Bataan. The equipment here is based on the U.S. Army’s 1941 Soldier’s Handbook.
Basic Gear
If you only want to do a simple Philippine Scouts look, here’s what you’ll need:
M1917A1 “Kelley” Helmet (M1917 “Brodie” Helmet is also acceptable)
- OR -A campaign hat with a hat cord (color of cord depends on the branch you’re depicting) with Distinctive Unit Insignia
Khaki shirt (summer look) or Olive-drab wool shirt (winter look)
Must not have epaulettes
On Bataan & Corregidor, the troops did not wear patches. However, a Philippine Department or Philippine Division patch may be worn for the purposes of reenactment.
Khaki pants or khaki cotton breeches
Khaki enlisted trouser belt
Russet-brown service shoes with cap toes
WWII-style paratrooper boots are also acceptable
M1938 leggings
Intermediate Gear
If you’re going for more of a battlefield-type look, you’ll need everything in the Basic Gear section, plus the following. (Note: this is what I would typically carry to say the Bataan Memorial Death March at White Sands Missile Range, NM)
M1923 cartridge belt
M1910 haversack with square meat pouch
M1910 canteen, cup, and cover
M1910 or M1924 first aid pouch
M1VA1 carrying bag
This is the carrying bag for the M1A1 or M1A2 Gas Mask. On Bataan, the Scouts discarded the gas mask and used the bag to carry extra ammunition, food, and supplies.
M1910 Intrenching tool (shovel) and cover
Advanced Gear
If you want the complete set of dismounted Philippine Scout equipment, you’ll need the equipment from the Basic and Intermediate Gear sections as well as the items below. All together, the Scouts displayed all of their field equipment during inspections and carried them during marches.
M1910 mess kit (with spoon, knife, and fork)
M1905 bayonet with M1910 scabbard
M1A1 or M1A2 Gas Mask
Carlisle bandage (goes into the first aid pouch)
M1938 Raincoat
Tent, shelter half, complete with pole, rope, and pins
C-Rations
Toilet set (towel, toothbrush, toothpaste, soap, shaver, toilet paper, comb, etc.)
Handkerchiefs
Wool blanket
Pair of socks
Underclothing (boxers, undershirt, white t-shirt)
Identification tag
Extra shoe laces
M1 bandolier (to carry extra ammunition)
M1 Garand or M1903 Springfield Rifle
(Omitted is the overcoat. I assume there is no need for one in the tropical Philippines)
Victor Verano (left) and Sean Conejos (right) wearing authentic WWII Philippine Scout gear at the 2019 Bataan Memorial Death March at the White Sands Missile Range, New Mexico.
From FM 21-100: U.S. Army Soldier’s Handbook, illustrating how a dismounted enlistedman should display his/her field equipment during inspections. The Philippine Scouts would have displayed their gear in the same manner.
A guide to enlistedman’s hat cords (Source: U.S. Militaria Forum)