(a) (1) The Governor shall appoint two Assistant Adjutants General for the Maryland Army National Guard and two Assistant Adjutants General for the Maryland Air National Guard.

(2) An Assistant Adjutant General serves at the pleasure of the Governor.

(3) Unless selected for a military position requiring federal recognition as a Major General, an Assistant Adjutant General shall have a commissioned grade not above that of Brigadier General.

(b) To be appointed as an Assistant Adjutant General an individual shall:

(1) have at least 1 year of commissioned field grade service in the National Guard; and

(2) have attained at least the rank of colonel.

(c) An Assistant Adjutant General shall perform the military duties that are assigned by the Governor or Adjutant General.

(d) (1) One of the Assistant Adjutants General for the Maryland Army National Guard and one of the Assistant Adjutants General for the Maryland Air National Guard shall be full-time employees of the Department in State active duty status.

(2) The other two Assistant Adjutants General shall be traditional drilling guard members.