Except as otherwise specifically provided by the laws of the United States, the organization of the North Carolina National Guard, including the composition of all its units, shall be the same as that which is or may hereafter be prescribed for the regular United States Army or Air Force subject in time of peace to general exceptions authorized by the Secretary of Defense. (1917, c. 200, s. 7; C.S., s. 6808; 1959, c. 218, s. 4; 1975, c. 604, s. 2; 2009-281, s. 1; 2011-195, s. 1(a).)