The Adjutant General may have to assist him or her in performance of his or her duties and to perform the various duties of the Military Department such number of officers and employees as may be approved by the Governor, officers, and employees appointed by the Adjutant General subject to the approval of the Governor and subject to the Merit System wherever applicable if the appointments are approved by the Governor. The department organization may include the positions of deputy adjutant general, the number of assistant adjutants general for army that are authorized by National Guard Bureau rules and regulations, an assistant adjutant general for air, a state property and disbursing officer, and a military executive officer. The Merit System shall be applicable to all officers and employees of the department other than those serving in the active military service of the state under orders of the Governor. The officers and employees shall receive the same pay as an officer or enlisted man of the regular service of corresponding grade with corresponding length of service; however, if a person is designated to the position of deputy adjutant general, the person may occupy a position in the Merit System in the State of Alabama or a position as a National Guard technician in the federal Civil Service System. All persons appointed as officers in the military shall have served at least three years in the active Alabama National Guard and should have military and civil education, training, and experience particularly fitting them for the positions to which they are assigned.

The assignments, duties, and authority of the officers and employees of the department shall be prescribed and assigned by the Adjutant General, with the approval of the Governor, and the department shall be organized and may be reorganized into appropriate sections, divisions, or agencies to conform to the wishes of the Governor, and the regulations and requirements of the National Guard of the United States. The persons occupying positions as heads or chiefs of the various sections or divisions or holding other offices or positions in the department shall, if they qualify therefor, hold military rank as may be authorized and approved for the positions by the Governor and the National Guard Bureau of the United States, and if authorized and approved, those officers holding the positions of deputy adjutant general, assistant adjutants general for the army and assistant adjutant general for air shall be appointed to and hold the grade of major general or the military rank authorized and approved by the Governor and the National Guard Bureau of the United States for the time they occupy the positions. Officers and employees of the State Military Department called, ordered, or drafted into the service of the Armed Forces of the United States or for any reason shall be granted leave of absence from their employments therein for the time they are retained in the service and shall be reinstated in the former position or similar employments if they desire, and if they apply in writing to the Adjutant General for reinstatement within 12 months after termination of the term of service on their original call, order, draft, or enlistment into the federal service.