Robert Gates

The President announced that he will work with Congress this year to repeal the law known as 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell.'

I have made defending against near-term regional threats a top priority of our missile defense plans, programs, and capabilities.

We need additional personnel at the battalion and company levels with the appropriate expertise and technical equipment to detect the IEDs in areas such as Afghanistan.

We look forward to resuming work with the GOJ to fulfill our longstanding mutual objective of realigning our force posture in Japan to ensure that the Alliance's operational capabilities remain sustainable, politically and operationally.

I think honesty in dealing with them, but a long-term effort, is what's going to be required.

I am not planning for a dual award at this time.

Retention and recruitment is at an all-time high in the history of the All-Volunteer Force.

I also ask you to work with us to insofar as possible keep them out of the political dimension of this issue.

the cost of buying and operating those additional aircraft would "invariably result in a reduction in critical warfighting capability somewhere else in the defense program."

I believe that Russia may be unnecessarily concerned simply because the SM-3 Block IIB is still in development.

I am determined that we in DOD carry out this process professionally, thoroughly, dispassionately, and in a manner that is responsive to the direction of the President and to the needs of Congress as you debate and consider this matter.

In October 2009, Poland agreed to host a similar Northern Europe site in Phase 3 (2018 timeframe).

destabilize not just Afghanistan, not just Pakistan, but potentially the whole region.

During the 2010 QDR, I directed a significant emphasis to domestic military operations, including Defense Support of Civil Authorities.

Prime Minister Hatoyama has stated that he intends to resolve the issue by May.

we have reached a critical point in this debate where spending more money on a second engine for the [F-35 Joint Strike Fighter (JSF)] is unnecessary, wasteful, and simply diverts precious modernization funds from other more pressing…

In February 2010, Romania agreed to host the land-based SM-3 Southern Europe site planned for deployment in Phase 2 (2015 timeframe).

The Department has developed a Comprehensive Master Plan for the NCR, which provides a roadmap to continue improving the finest healthcare facilities possible for our military families.

The Iraq troop surge offers an important lesson in that regard.

The Department does not currently track homosexual conduct discharges this way.

DOD remains committed to the FRF--as reflected in the May 2006 Realignment Roadmap--as the best way to move forward with the strategic transformation of U.S. presence in Okinawa.

I fully support the President's decision.

Russia's initial reaction to the new system was positive.

We are committed to the long-term success of Afghanistan and Iraq as stable states that can govern and secure themselves.

I believe Russia has an interest in working with the United States and Europe to defend against the growing missile and nuclear threat from Iran and other states.