R.I. Gen. Laws § 30-2-16
There shall be two (2) assistant adjutants general with rank not to exceed that of brigadier general, one of whom shall be detailed by the adjutant general, with the approval of the governor, from the federally recognized officers, or from the retired officers, of the Rhode Island army national guard, and one of whom shall be detailed by the adjutant general, with the approval of the governor, from the federally recognized officers, or from the retired officers, of the Rhode Island air national guard; provided, however, that, when the Rhode Island national guard is in the active military service of the United States, there shall be only one assistant adjutant general, who shall be detailed by the adjutant general, with the approval of the governor, from the officers of the Rhode Island state guard. These assistant adjutants general shall hold office at the pleasure of the adjutant general and shall serve as commanding officers for Rhode Island code of military justice purposes. They shall perform such duties as may be assigned to them by the adjutant general in addition to their other duties in the national guard, if any. In the absence from the state of the adjutant general, the assistant adjutant general detailed from the army national guard shall be authorized to perform all duties provided by law or regulation for the adjutant general.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 30-2-16