1. There shall be an adjutant general of the state appointed by the governor by and with the advice and consent of the senate who, at the time of his appointment, has not less than ten years of previous military service as a commissioned officer with the military forces of this state, or the United States, or in any or all of such services combined, five years of the service being in field grade. His appointment as adjutant general shall not vacate his commission in the organized militia if the person appointed holds such commission.

2. The adjutant general shall have the rank designated by the governor and shall receive eighteen thousand dollars per annum. He shall make bond before entering upon the duties of his office in the sum of twenty thousand dollars, conditioned upon the faithful performance of his duties, to be approved by and filed in the office of the governor.