Gates to Submit Defense Budget Review

Defense Secretary Robert Gates will announce on Monday his much anticipated recommendations for spending the Pentagon's $534 billion dollar base budget.

Gates' recommendations will be announced prior to receiving approval from President Obama and the Office of Management and Budget -- a highly unusual budgetary move for the Defense Department.

Lawmakers and manufacturers across the country are eager to learn which major weapons systems will be trimmed from next year's budget.

Pentagon Press Secretary Geoff Morrell told reporters Friday to be prepared for a "very specific, very detailed" briefing Monday.

When asked if he believes it is the president's intention is to gauge the public's reaction before approving controversial budgetary decisions, Morrell said that was not the rationale behind this new procedure, but "that may be one of the results of this".

Gates will make final decisions about the budget this weekend and brief lawmakers by phone on Monday morning, Morrell said. Gates will release the details later on Monday.