Gates made the remarks a day after a federal judge in California ordered an end to enforcement of the ban on lesbians and gays serving openly in the military.
Allowing gays to serve openly "is an action that requires careful preparation and a lot of training," Gates said. "It has enormous consequences for our troops."
The Pentagon is undergoing a study to determine how best to minimize the impact of lifting the ban.
It is not clear what impact the ruling will have on current discharge cases. Last year the military discharged 428 servicemembers under the ban, according to the Pentagon.
The Justice Department is considering whether to appeal the court ruling. Its options include asking U.S. District Judge Virginia Phillips in Riverside, Calif., to stay or temporarily freeze her ruling.
If Phillips turns down the request, the Justice Department would likely turn to the federal appeals court in California.
The Defense secretary, who has supported lifting the ban, said that regulations will need revisions and changes may be necessary to Defense Department buildings.
The White House said time is running out for the ban on gays serving openly. "This is a policy that is going to end," spokesman Robert Gibbs said Wednesday.
The Pentagon has said time is needed to make the adjustments necessary for the change.
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