(a) Definitions.—In this section:

(1) 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.


(2) 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.


(3) 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.


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(b) Appointment Authority.—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.


(c) Special Rules Regarding Spouse of a Disabled or Deceased Member of the Armed Forces.—

(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.