The division was organized in April 1922 and primarily consisted of United States Army officers and Filipino enlisted men.

When the Philippine Army was established in 1935, it provided a potential candidate pool of Filipinos with military experience.

On 31 July 1941, the division consisted of 10,473 troops, mostly enlisted Filipinos, known as the Philippine Scouts who formed the 45th and 57th US Infantry Regiments.

All of the division's enlisted men, with the exception of the 31st Infantry Regiment, and various military police and headquarters troops, were Philippine Scouts.

[1] In October 1941, as part of the U.S. Army Forces Far East, plans were made to "triangularize" the division.