Military to extend benefits to same-sex partners of service members

NBC NATIONAL NEWS — While the military faces budget cuts, same-sex partners of service members could get benefits soon.

The Pentagon made the announcement today.

Exactly which benefits will be included hasn't been decided yet, but they could include some health and welfare programs and access to on-base commissary and other military-subsidized stores.

An official announcement is expected in the coming days.

The decision comes a little more than a year after the Pentagon lifted its ban gays serving openly in the U.S. Military.