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In Empire. we saw both Admiral Ozzel and General Veers wearing the same type of uniform. But presumably both are from different military branches, the Navy and the Army respectively. What accounts for this mismatch?

A lack of a seperate army uniform? There's a number of uniform designs shown, but, from the earlier film, General Tagge and Admiral Motti, and the regional governor ( ) wear the same outfit.

There also could be a bit of the classic military lieniancy towards senior officers. Often as not even as recently as WWII high ranking generals and admirals could wear essentially whichever uniform they so chose because...who is going to tell them not to?

Perhaps there's some sort of tradition somewhere. Look at the United States or the UK for instance, although the uniforms are different now, both the RAF and the USAF were part of their nations respective armies rather than seperate corps altogether. It could be some sort of tradition or just a simple standardisation where the distinction is in the rank badges.

CmdrWilkens wrote:There also could be a bit of the classic military lieniancy towards senior officers. Often as not even as recently as WWII high ranking generals and admirals could wear essentially whichever uniform they so chose because...who is going to tell them not to?

And Ozzel and Veers both love utilitarian grey.

Of course it could signify some famous thing such as, Veers leading a Star Desrtoyer to safty and just wears the uniform because of his ego.

Jade Falcon wrote:both the RAF and the USAF were part of their nations respective armies rather than seperate corps altogether.

With regard to the RAF, it was created by a merger of the Royal Flying Corps (British Army) with the Naval Air Service (Royal Navy). So part of it was never part of the Army.

A cousin of mine (a couple of times removed) was technically a major in the Royal Navy from 1 August 1919 to 22 January 1920, owing to the confusion surrounding the merger of the NAS and the RFC. (He was promoted major in the RAF before he was removed from the Navy List.)

Aye, true, I forgot that, though also a part of the RNAS became the fledgeling Fleet Air Arm, but not until much later.

Actually, I'm pretty sure it's still the case that Generals can effectively make up their own uniforms. Saw one on display at CMOC when I had a tour there. That one is quite a bit newer than WWII. Can't remember which 4-star's it was though.