WASHINGTON: Defense Secretary Robert Gates is promising to try to spare more gay troops from being dismissed from the military while the Pentagon takes a year to study revising its "don't ask, don't tell" policy.

Gates is expected to name a team of advisers to recommend steps the US military should take to comply with an eventual repeal of its policy barring gays from serving openly in uniform, congressional sources said.

President Barack Obama has called for action this year, increasing pressure on a reluctant US military to begin taking steps in advance of any repeal of the law, which permits gays to serve as long they hide their sexual orientation.