Where the United Earth Starfleet made use of utilitarian jumpsuits COBRA had always preferred more traditional militaristic styles for it's armed forces, as well as more clear distinction between enlisted and active personnel. Epaulets, leather gloves and boots were part of the image. Though the rule was not hard and fast, there was a certain level of favoritism which meant that cadets to the officer's corps drawn from natural born individuals rather than the products of the industrial exowomb programs which produced the bulk of COBRA's population, in particular older families. Discrimination against Sauroids was more pronounced and other aliens were barred from naval service. There was a feedback loop to this: being an veteran (and especially a veteran naval officer) gave you clout which could be turned into connections and influence, which you used to help your children to get an academy slot and in turn earn the family more clout. Since the major dynasties of COBRA liked to cultivate subordinate dynasties as foundations for their own power bases (which they could prune as needed) this tactic was encouraged. For all of that the COBRA Space Navy was still highly competitive and for those who got in and performance in service to the Commander was valued higher than pedigree.
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