Gates legacy will be he allowed Don't Ask Don't Tell to be rescinded. I can't see how that is sticking up for the troops.
I don't disagree...but we don't know what issues he might be facing which are more immediate than DADT (his position on DADT might be nothing more than a head fake to throw Obama off balance).
From what I hear, the military stands behind him. Not so for Obama.
Of course, I might be dead wrong. It isn't easy on the outside looking in. In fact, it isn't easy at present on the inside looking upward.