In this section:

The term “active duty”—

(A) has the meaning given that term in section 101(d)(1) of title 10;

(B) includes full-time National Guard duty (as defined in section 101(d)(5) of title 10); and

(C) for a member of a reserve component (as described in section 10101 of title 10), does not include training duties or attendance at a service school.

The term “agency”—

(A) has the meaning given the term “Executive agency” in section 105 of this title; and

(B) does not include the Government Accountability Office.

The term “spouse of a disabled or deceased member of the Armed Forces” means an individual—

(A) who is married to a member of the Armed Forces who— (i) is retired, released, or discharged from the Armed Forces; and (ii) on the date on which the member retires, is released, or is discharged, has a disability rating of 100 percent under the standard schedule of rating disabilities in use by the Department of Veterans Affairs; or

(B) who— (i) was married to a member of the Armed Forces on the date on which the member dies while on active duty in the Armed Forces; and (ii) has not remarried.

The head of an agency may appoint noncompetitively—

(1) a spouse of a member of the Armed Forces on active duty; or

(2) a spouse of a disabled or deceased member of the Armed Forces.

An appointment of an eligible spouse as described in subparagraph (A) or (B) of subsection (a)(3) is not restricted to a geographical area.

(1) In general.— An appointment of an eligible spouse as described in subparagraph (A) or (B) of subsection (a)(3) is not restricted to a geographical area.

(2) Single permanent appointment.— A spouse of a disabled or deceased member of the Armed Forces may not receive more than 1 permanent appointment under this section.

(Added Pub. L. 112–239, div. A, title V, § 566(a), Jan. 2, 2013, 126 Stat. 1749; amended Pub. L. 114–328, div. A, title XI, § 1131, Dec. 23, 2016, 130 Stat. 2457; Pub. L. 115–232, div. A, title V, § 573(a), (c), Aug. 13, 2018, 132 Stat. 1779.)