The adjutant general shall be appointed by the governor for a term concurrent with the term of the governor who appointed the adjutant general, and shall serve as such at the pleasure of the governor. The adjutant general shall have such rank as may be conferred by the governor, but in no event shall such rank be higher than that of lieutenant general. The adjutant general shall be a member of the Tennessee national guard who meets all of the qualifications to be a federally recognized general officer.
T.C.A. § 58-1-115