Military ID problem

[Diehard]

Can a situation arise where it is simply not possible to get a military ID?

I completed both the Arena and Charon (including docking at the rebuilding Korolov station to get the reward), but when I tried to do the military mission I kept getting the message that my ship wasn't well equipped enough. I had:

dual particle
mk III howitzer
heavy tharis plate x4 (with ion enhancement)
patch spider x2
150NX reactor
mammoth 25MW shield

There were no black market stations/shipyards (even a half-dozen systems past St. Kitts), so I couldn't even get military weapons or shields installed illegally. That became a big problem as the mammoth was getting shredded by every enemy I encoutered. Anyway, I got more than a little frustrated and ended up suiciding, but I am wondering where I went wrong...

Any help on this issue would be greatly appreciated.

[george moromisato]

You need a visual enhancement ROM to do the initial military missions.

Sorry--the message about "not well-equipped" should be clearer.

[goat not sheep]

It will be changed in the next version, so beginners will understand then?