The Adjutant General is the highest-ranking uniformed officer in the state, subordinate to the Governor who serves as Commander-in-Chief of the South Carolina National Guard.
In 2014, South Carolina voters approved a referendum amending the state constitution to provide for the adjutant general to be appointed by the governor, effective in 2019.
He was appointed to the position on January 17, 2019 by Governor Henry McMaster following the retirement of Major General Robert Livingston.
MG McCarty had previously served as Assistant Adjutant General, Army.
[1] The adjutant general leads the Military Department of South Carolina.