Defense Secretary Robert Gates also directed his policy staff in a memorandum to move ahead carefully, but expeditiously, to end the 17-year-old "don't ask, don't tell" policy instituted during the Clinton administration.
Officials said they will complete implementation plans for the new policy by next Friday and will commence training in February.
Defense Secretary Robert Gates is calling it a milestone event for the armed services. Training materials will be delivered to the military services within a week.
Memos released Friday outlined new policies that will go into effect 60 days after the president and advisers certify that lifting the ban won't hurt troops' ability to fight.
