The U.S. Navy is preparing its chaplains to perform gay weddings and civil unions at base chapels.

The effort is a part of the military's repeal of the "Don't ask, Don't tell" policy, which will allow gays and lesbians to serve openly in the military.

The ceremonies will be allowed at military facilities in states where gay marriage or civil unions are legal.

But chaplains who are morally opposed to gay marriage would not be required to perform them.

At least one lawmaker is outraged by the move.

"While a state may legalize same-sex marriage, federal property and federal employees -- like Navy chaplains -- should not be used to perform marriages that are not recognized by federal law," Rep. Todd Akin, R-Mo. told the Navy Times.