Defense Secretary Leon Panetta on Monday announced the military will extend military benefits to same-sex partners.

In a news release, Panetta called it “a matter of fundamental equity that the Pentagon provide similar benefits to all of those men and women in uniform who serve their country.”  Panetta noted that the Defense of Marriage Act would limit some benefits available to same-sex partners.

But he said he can foresee a time when the law will allow the department to grant full benefits to service members and their dependents.

The change in policy was an outgrowth of the military’s ending the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell,” policy. Panetta said that “discrimination based on sexual orientation has no place in the Department of Defense.”

“The department already provides a group of benefits that are member-designated,” Panetta said. “Today, I am pleased to announce that after a thorough and deliberate review, the department will extend additional benefits to same-sex partners of service members.

“Taking care of our service members and honoring the sacrifices of all military families are two core values of this nation. Extending these benefits is an appropriate next step under current law to ensure that all service members receive equal support for what they do to protect this nation.

“One of the legal limitations to providing all benefits at this time is the Defense of Marriage Act, which is still the law of the land,” Panetta said.

“There are certain benefits that can only be provided to spouses as defined by that law, which is now being reviewed by the United States Supreme Court. While it will not change during my tenure as secretary of defense, I foresee a time when the law will allow the department to grant full benefits to service members and their dependents, irrespective of sexual orientation. Until then, the department will continue to comply with current law while doing all we can to take care of all soldiers, sailors, airmen, marines, and their families.”