An official website of the United States Government 
Here's how you know

Official websites use .gov

A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.

Secure .gov websites use HTTPS

A lock ( lock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

Photos

Snapshots of what’s happening in the Defense Department.

Participants at the North Atlantic Council meeting applaud Secretary of Defense Robert M. Gates after thanking him for his service to NATO during the NATO Defense Ministerial in Brussels, Belgium, on June 8, 2011.

Participants at the North Atlantic Council meeting applaud Secretary Gates.

Participants at the North Atlantic Council meeting applaud Secretary of Defense Robert M. Gates after thanking him for his service to NATO during the NATO Defense Ministerial in Brussels, Belgium, on June 8, 2011.

Photo Gallery