US Court Orders End to Ban on Gay Service Members

Defense officials say they are just weeks away from completing the training of forces in advance of the end of the gay ban. Under a law passed late last year, 60 days after top defense officials certify that military readiness won't be affected, the don't-ask law will be repealed.

Col. David Lapan, the Pentagon spokesman, said the department is studying the ruling by the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals. "We will, of course, comply with orders of the court, and are taking immediate steps to inform the field of this order," Col. Lapan said.

While the end of the ban was already considered inevitable, the court decision creates the possibility that recruiting rules could shift back and forth in the weeks to come.