The uniform comes with the position. It's been that way since the original appointment as the office was derived from a military position IIRC.
...and talking abut condoms.
Actually, Elders was the "Condom Queen." Coop used to remind people that they weren't always effective and offered no protection against certain types of STD's. Leftists referred to Coop's blunt facts as "hate speech."
Didn't Clinton leave the SG post vacant after Elders was forced to leave?
No, he appointed Dr. David Satcher.