(a) The Adjutant General shall appoint an assistant adjutant general for the Connecticut Army National Guard, who shall hold office at the pleasure of the Adjutant General. He shall hold the rank of brigadier general and shall be a member of the Governor’s military staff during his incumbency of the office, and shall have had at least five years of commissioned service in the Connecticut Army National Guard or the armies of the United States or a total of five years in both services.

(b) The Adjutant General shall appoint an assistant adjutant general for the Connecticut Air National Guard, who shall hold office at the pleasure of the Adjutant General. He shall hold the rank of brigadier general and shall be a member of the Governor’s military staff during his incumbency of the office. He shall have had at least five years of commissioned service in the Connecticut Air National Guard or the air forces of the United States or a total of at least five years in both services.

(c) The Adjutant General shall designate either the assistant adjutant general for the Connecticut Army National Guard or the assistant adjutant general for the Connecticut Air National Guard to serve as administrative assistant and deputy to the Adjutant General and as deputy chief of staff to the Governor. Such assistant adjutant general (1) shall perform all of the duties of the Adjutant General in his absence, during his inability or by his direction and (2) shall devote all of his time, during the office hours of the Military Department, to the duties of his office. The assistant adjutant general not so designated shall perform such duties, consistent with his grade and position, as the Adjutant General shall direct.

(d) No person shall be appointed to the office of, or continue to serve as, assistant adjutant general upon attaining the age of sixty-four years.