(4) have ten or more years of federally recognized commissioned service in the South Carolina National Guard, at least five years of which must have been at the rank of Lieutenant Colonel (O5) or higher; (5) have command experience at the battalion or squadron level or higher; and (6) hold the rank of Colonel (O6) or higher and possess the necessary qualifications to serve as a federally recognized General Officer. (C) In addition to the minimum qualifications for the office of Adjutant General specified in subsection (B), the Governor also may consider: (1) the military experience, including command candidates’ experience or military service in an area where hostilefire pay or imminentdanger pay was authorized pursuant to federal law or regulation; and (2) the promotion criteria for the rank of majorgeneral or higher. (D) In the event of a vacancy or impending vacancy in the Office of the Adjutant General, the South Carolina Military Department, upon request of the Governor, shall provide a list of candidates who satisfy the qualifications for office specified in subsection (B) and copies of the military personnel candidates’ records. (E) Nothing in this section may be construed to prohibit the ability to appoint a qualified retired officer who has Governor’s not exceeded the maximum age to serve as a federally recognized general officer.” SECTION 3. Section 251340 of the 1976 Code, as last amended by Act 46 of 2011, is further amended to read: 251340. If the Office of the Adjutant General is “Section vacated because of the death, resignation, removal, or retirement of the Adjutant General prior to the normal expiration of his term of office, the Governor shall appoint an officer of the active South Carolina National Guard, who is at least the rank of colonel, meets the eligibility requirements for a constitutional officer, and who has a minimum of active commissioned service in fifteen years’ the South Carolina National Guard, provided in Section 251320 to fill out the unexpired term of the former incumbent. The appointee, upon being duly qualified, is subject to all the duties and liabilities incident to the office and receives the compensation
(4) have ten or more years of federally recognized commissioned service in the South Carolina National Guard, at least five years of which must have been at the rank of Lieutenant Colonel (O5) or higher; (5) have command experience at the battalion or squadron level or higher; and (6) hold the rank of Colonel (O6) or higher and possess the necessary qualifications to serve as a federally recognized General Officer. (C) In addition to the minimum qualifications for the office of Adjutant General specified in subsection (B), the Governor also may consider: (1) the candidates’ military experience, including command experience or military service in an area where hostilefire pay or imminentdanger pay was authorized pursuant to federal law or regulation; and (2) the promotion criteria for the rank of majorgeneral or higher. (D) In the event of a vacancy or impending vacancy in the Office of the Adjutant General, the South Carolina Military Department, upon request of the Governor, shall provide a list of candidates who satisfy the qualifications for office specified in subsection (B) and copies of the candidates’ military personnel records. (E) Nothing in this section may be construed to prohibit the Governor’s ability to appoint a qualified retired officer who has not exceeded the maximum age to serve as a federally recognized general officer.” SECTION 3. Section 251340 of the 1976 Code, as last amended by Act 46 of 2011, is further amended to read: “Section 251340. If the Office of the Adjutant General is vacated because of the death, resignation, removal, or retirement of the Adjutant General prior to the normal expiration of his term of office, the Governor shall appoint an officer of the active South Carolina National Guard, who is at least the rank of colonel, meets the eligibility requirements for a constitutional officer, and who has a minimum of fifteen years’ active commissioned service in the South Carolina National Guard, provided in Section 251320 to fill out the unexpired term of the former incumbent. The appointee, upon being duly qualified, is subject to all the duties and liabilities incident to the office and receives the compensation
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