I think the view of the uniform changing as medals or promotions are awraded is an excellent idea. Way better than just the box used in SH3. Perhaps the view of the uniform could wither be as some just posted, or a variety of a number of heads to create an avatar. Even possibly something to selctd a facial type, hair color, mustache, beard, etc.. THe First person shooters easily do this all the time these days. Some clever modder might even be able to allow you to take a snapsot of your own head, face and sort of photshop it onto your avatar.
Of course this could be combined with some film or generated clip of your avatar being awarded something or other, with appropriate martial music.
