As used in this section:
(1) “DD 214” means a United States Department of Defense Report of Separation form or its predecessor or successor forms;
(2) “Local government employer” means a municipality, a county, or township of the state that has issued a resolution to implement a veterans' preference employment policy under § 11-15-103.
(3) “Local government employer” does not include the state or a public institution of higher education;
(4) “Private employer” means a sole proprietor, corporation, partnership, limited liability company, or other entity with one (1) or more employees.
(5) “Private employer” does not include the state or a public institution of higher education;
(6) “Spouse of a disabled veteran” means: The spouse of a veteran who has been classified by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs' Veterans Benefits Administration as having a permanent total disability rating; and
(7) A United States citizen;
(8) “Surviving spouse” means a spouse of a deceased veteran who is: Unmarried at the time he or she seeks a veterans' preference under § 11-15-103; and
(9) A United States citizen;
(10) “Veteran” means a person who: Served on active duty for a period of more than one hundred eighty (180) days and was discharged or released from active duty with other than a dishonorable discharge;
(11) Was discharged or released from active duty because of a service-connected disability; or
(12) As a member of a reserve component under an order to active duty, not to include training, was discharged or released from duty with other than a dishonorable discharge; and
(13) “Veterans' preference employment policy” means a private employer or local government employer's voluntary preference for hiring, promoting, or retaining a veteran, spouse of a disabled veteran, or surviving spouse of a veteran over another equally qualified applicant or employee.