As a civilian appointment, Elliot never wore the RCMP uniform during his time as Commissioner, except on a trip to Afghanistan, where he wore the uniform shirt with his rank on the shoulders, and also a Smith and Wesson model 5946 9 mm pistol on his hip. He was provided the most basic if training in order to maintain safety of others but did not meet the standard an RCMP cadet would have to meet. A large number of members believed this was a contradiction of his own words that he would not wear a uniform he did not earn.