(a) The Hawaii state defense force shall be uniformed. The governor shall prescribe by rules a distinctive uniform and insignia of the Hawaii state defense force.
(b) Grades and ranks shall exist in the Hawaii state defense force and shall be the same as those prescribed by federal law and regulations to exist in the army national guard. Members of the Hawaii state defense force in the same grade shall rank among themselves in the same manner as is prescribed by federal law and regulations for members of the army national guard in like grade.
(c) The senior officer present in any organization or formation of the Hawaii state defense force shall command, unless the governor shall designate another commanding officer. When in the active service of the State, an officer of the national guard assigned to any organization or formation of the Hawaii state defense force is eligible to command that organization or formation, but an officer of the Hawaii state defense force is not eligible to command an organization or formation of the national guard.
