To the contrary they do, more than enough.
However, the power of presence, authority or style is not commanded by the uniform itself, but by how you carry yourself.
It’s not uncommon to see SO/XO/CO players apply an absolute mess of combinations between different uniform sets. For instance, tactical face wrap, windbreaker jacket, formal uniform, combat boots, a fuckign ceremonial sword, and a peaked cap, with insulated gloves. This makes you look ridiculous, completely out of touch and extremely disorderly.
Uniform sets are to be worn as sets and according to purpose.
USCM Uniform/Operations Uniforms, are the equivalent of a BDU, the fighting uniform. This is your workwear meant for general use, whether shipside or on the field, like when you are actually putting in work and you expect to get dirty. This is your “camo” uniform.
Service uniform - This is combined with the service jacket. This uniform is a casual uniform to be worn when doing administrative work on base or on the desk so to speak. You’re not going to be doing manual labor or fighting in this one. Think of it the kind of things you’d wear in occasions that require business attire, at the office meetings with officials.
Formal uniform - This is your suit and tie that you keep in your wardrobe for special occasions, your dress blues. Typically reserved for special occasions/events and ceremonies. This includes all the accessories that come with it.
Do not mix these categories, and especially do not mix service/formal wear with accessories that are meant for use in the field such as face wraps, bandanas, tactical scarf, headwraps or whatever people call this raggedy stuff.
Keeping your uniform in line, clean and organized, reflects and symbolizes the image of you in the same way - orderly, organized and disciplined. Qualities of someone that is competent, can handle responsibilities given to them and gets shit done.
An orderly and clean look indicates that the person has the self-discipline to take care of themselves and maintain some order in their everyday life. Whereas scruffy and disorganized looks indicate that indicates that the person doesn’t really care. So how could you count on someone that cant even take care of themselves to take care of bigger responsibilities?
And lastly authority and style is commanded by how you carry yourself as an officer and as a leader rather than what you are wearing.
You can easily get rid of all the crap in your XO wardrobe, grab the most basic USCM uniform, roll up the sleeves, and still command authority, respect and style. Because of who you are and how you carry yourself, the kind of values you reflect. People instinctively will respect someone comfortable in their own skin, with quiet confidence and integrity. Because displaying qualities of someone that is competent, can handle responsibilities given to them and gets shit done, makes people count on you, trust you and therefore respect you, which inherently gives you the authority and freedom for style that you desire.
