Newbie question about armors/ranks...

[Validuz]

Im confused here, Ive been following this game pretty closely, and I know about the secondary colors getting brighter on your armor when you gain BEPs/CEPs. But is there some kinda of armor change??? Im not talking about light/med/heavy. Im asking if theres some kinda of armor modification when you gain so much BEPs/CEPs...

Because I see a picture of a weird looking Vanu soldier, kinda modified from the original.

Sorry for the n00b question, but Im in the dark on this one...

Thanks,
Valid