The Governor shall appoint an assistant Adjutant General for air and an assistant Adjutant General for army, each with the rank of brigadier general, or any other rank recognized by federal authority, who shall be the deputy commander of the air National Guard and the deputy commander of the army National Guard, respectively. The Adjutant General may appoint an assistant Adjutant General for the West Virginia National Guard, and any other general officer positions that are federally authorized by tables of distribution and allowance, modified tables of organization and equipment, and joint manning documents, each with the rank of brigadier general, or any other rank recognized by federal authority. The Adjutant General may also appoint an assistant Adjutant General with the rank of colonel or any other rank recognized by the federal authority, who shall be the executive officer and administrative assistant to assist the Adjutant General in the administration of the Adjutant General's department (or department of military affairs). The assistant Adjutant General serving as the executive officer and the administrative assistant may also be the deputy commander of the army or air National Guard. The assistant adjutants general shall be upon appointment, federally recognized officers of the air National Guard and the army National Guard, respectively.