(1) The adjutant general must:
(a) have the rank of major general;
(b) be selected from the active list of the national guard of this state;
(c) be federally recognized in the rank of lieutenant colonel or higher, immediately preceding appointment;
(d) have at least 10 years of service as an officer of the active national guard of this state during the 15 years immediately preceding appointment.
(2) A salary may not be paid to the adjutant general by the state when the adjutant general is on extended active duty in federal service or is receiving pay as a civilian employee of the federal government.
(3) If, by reason of call or draft of officers of the Montana national guard into federal service, there is no officer having the qualifications set forth in this section for adjutant general, then any officer of the national guard may be appointed as acting adjutant general.