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In this Sept. 17, 2011, photo U.S. Air Force 1st Lt. Josh Seefried poses for a photo in Philadelphia. For several years, he operated under an alias J.D. Smith while organizing an underground network for gay military personnel, pushing the Pentagon to communicate with gay service members about the law that prevented them from serving openly. He was even a guest of the White House at the December ceremony where President Obama signed the bill paving the way for the ban’s repeal. With "don't ask, don't tell" about to end, the pseudonym J.D. Smith will no longer exist. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
Panetta says he is committed to removing all the barriers that prevent Americans from serving their country and rising to the highest level of responsibility they can achieve. He says the Pentagon will continue to look at other opportunities, including the role of women in combat.
Joint Chiefs Chairman Adm. Mike Mullen says that with the new law allowing gays to serve openly, the military is a stronger, more tolerant joint force with greater character and honor.
Repeal of the 18-year-old legal ban took effect just after midnight.