638 LAWS OF MARYLAND. [CH. 311

diately preceding his appointment must have been in active
service in the National Guard of this State or in the Army or
Marine Corps of the United States as a commissioned officer.
The Captain of the Naval Brigade shall have been an officer
in the Naval Brigade, or must have served as an officer in
the United States Navy for at least three years.

Section XXV. Before receiving a commission or being
commissioned to a higher grade as a result of promotion every
officer below the grade of major must have passed a satis-
factory examination before a board as to his fitness for service.
All officers will be required to take a physical examination
before receiving their commissions.

Section XXVI. Boards of examination shall be appointed
by the Governor as Commander-in-Chief, Or caused to be ap-
pointed by the Commanding officer of the first brigade, and
the commanding officer of the naval brigade, as the case may
be, and the said boards shall consist of not less than three
officers for officers of the line and for officers of the depart-
ments or corps the board shall consist of three officers at least
one of whom shall be of the department or corps for which the
candidate is to be examined. These boards shall inquire into
the military, moral qualifications, the general capacity and
efficiency of any officer holding a probationary, or permanent,
commission, or who may have been elected, or appointed for
commission in the Maryland National Guard; and said boards
shall have power to take evidence, administer oaths and com-
pel witnesses to attend and testify and produce books and
papers, and punish those failing to do so, as is possessed by a
general court-martial. The said boards shall convene at the
headquarters of the first brigade, or naval brigade, as the case
may be, at such times as may be directed by the convening
authority. At least two weeks' notice of the date of the sitting
shall be given all officers ordered to appear for examination.
Within twenty days after such examination said boards shall
make a detailed report of their results to the Governor as
Commander-in-Chief, and anyone failing to pass such an exam-
ination shall not be eligible for a commission in the National
Guard of this State, or for promotion therein, for the period
of one year from the date of such failure except upon the
recommendation of the commanding officer of the regiment,
or separate organization, as the case may be. The Governor
as Commander-in-Chief may allow an examination to any
officer who shall give him a satisfactory excuse for not appear-