Department of Defense

Delivery Confirmation Receipts

Robert M. Gates
Secretary of Defense
USPS.com: EH 380158034 US
"Your item was delivered at 11:15 AM on May 12, 2009 in WASHINGTON, DC 20310 to PENT MISC 20310 R6."

William J. Lynn
Deputy Secretary of Defense
USPS.com: EH 380158048 US
"Your item was delivered at 11:15 AM on May 12, 2009 in WASHINGTON, DC 20310 to PENT MISC 20310 R6."

Michael G. Mullen
Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff
USPS.com: 380158051 US
"Your item was delivered at 11:15 AM on May 12, 2009 in WASHINGTON, DC 20310 to PENT MISC 20310 R6."

James E. Cartwright
Vice-Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff
USPS.com: EH 380158065 US
"Your item was delivered at 11:15 AM on May 12, 2009 in WASHINGTON, DC 20310 to PENT MISC 20310 R6."

Remaining sent through regular postal mail (http://www.defenselink.mil/bios/)

About a week later, first statement ever against Don't Ask Don't Tell from the Department of Defense.

White House says 'don't ask' policy under review

By PHILIP ELLIOTT – May 21, 2009

WASHINGTON (AP) — ...

On Tuesday, Pentagon spokesman Geoff Morrell said the military has no plans to repeal the policy and that the White House had not asked for the 1993 policy to be scrapped.
Two days later, Gibbs said Morrell had backed off that position; Morrell released a statement hours later doing just that.

"President Obama has been clear in his direction to Secretary (Robert) Gates and (Joint Chiefs) Chairman (Mike) Mullen that he is committed to repeal the 'don't ask, don't tell' policy. He has also been clear that he is committed to do it in a way that is least disruptive to our troops, especially given that they have been simultaneously waging two wars for six years now," Morrell said.

"Although this will require changes to the law, the secretary and chairman are working to address the challenges associated with implementation of the president's commitment," he said.
Even so, retired Marine Gen. James Jones, the White House's national security adviser, earlier this month told ABC's "This Week" that he wasn't sure the policy would be overturned.
"We have a lot on our plate right now," he said.