I agree the photo looks like an unpolished...
I doubt if SM will do much because that will set a precedent for future shoots that people will try to use to get the same for shots that don't look nearly so bad.
No I'm afraid not. Interestingly, during my time in the Navy I didn't make it past Commodore. They considered making me Rear Admiral, but I laughed every time they mentioned it so that put them off.