Responding to the Senator's request in a previously unreleased letter from October 25, 2010, Gates explained that the review was not a "referendum" on the policy, stressing, "I do not believe that military policy decisions -- on this or any other subject -- should be made through a referendum of Servicemembers." He also emphasized that the final report would inform military leaders of the impacts of lifting the ban and help guide Congress in its decision making...
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