(A) There must be an Adjutant General appointed by the Governor upon the advice and consent of the Senate. The initial term of the first appointed Adjutant General must be for two years so as to allow subsequent terms to be staggered with that of the Governor’s term. After the initial appointment, the Adjutant General must be appointed for a four-year term commencing on the first Wednesday following the second Tuesday in January that follows the general election that marks the Governor’s midterm. The position of Adjutant General is recognized as holding the rank of Major General. He shall hold office until his successor is appointed and confirmed. The Adjutant General is the commander of all military forces within the South Carolina Military Department, and he is responsible to the Governor in his role as and Commander in Chief for the proper performance of his duties. He shall receive an annual salary as provided by the General Assembly and only may be removed for cause prior to the expiration of his term pursuant to the provisions of § 1-3-240(C).

(B) The person appointed Adjutant General by the Governor must possess, at a minimum, the following qualifications:

(1) be a qualified elector of this State;

(2) be in an active National Guard status at the time of the appointment, except as provided in subsection (E);

(3) be a graduate of the Army War College, the Air War College, or the military education level equivalent;

(4) have ten or more years of federally recognized commissioned service in the South Carolina National Guard, at least five years of which must have been at the rank of Lieutenant Colonel (O-5) or higher;

(5) have command experience at the battalion or squadron level or higher; and

(6) hold the rank of Colonel (O-6) or higher and possess the necessary qualifications to serve as a federally recognized general officer.

(C) In addition to the minimum qualifications for the Office of Adjutant General specified in subsection (B), the Governor also may consider:

(1) the candidates’ military experience, including command experience or military service in an area where hostile-fire pay or imminent-danger pay was authorized pursuant to federal law or regulation; and

(2) the promotion criteria for the rank of major general or higher.

(D) In the event of a vacancy or impending vacancy in the Office of the Adjutant General, the South Carolina Military Department, upon request of the Governor, shall provide a list of candidates who satisfy the qualifications for office specified in subsection (B) and copies of the candidates’ military personnel records.

(E) Nothing in this section may be construed to prohibit the Governor’s ability to appoint a qualified retired officer who has not exceeded the maximum age to serve as a federally recognized general officer.