I was flying on military orders just last weekend and I was forced to go through the whole strip search thing. Belt off, shoes off, etc. I try hard to be polite but it's really tough. Not only do I have a higher clearance than any of those clowns with the wands, I'd give my life if need be if the plane were attacked.
On a funny one, one elderly gentlman (TSA employee) had a hard time standing up straight but was wearing the nomex tactical gloves that the specwar or SWAT guys wear. I almost busted a gut laughing.
Why? Nomex is treated nylon that resistes burning in flash fires. I used nomex gloves as a wildland firefighter, and my shirt and pants were nomex as well. Much like my flight suits were when I was an NCO on helicopters telling grunts to roll their sleeves down, leave the first aid kits and helmet bags alone, and to hold their weapons the proper way when I was a crewchief.
Nomex has many uses, and those particular gloves are very comfortable and as availible to buy as many items of gear designed and used by the U.S. Military.
On another note, I am curious as to what the old guy did when he was your age. He could well have been of the caliber of military personnel that could have smoked you like a cheap cigar.
My point is not to knock you, or make you angry, but to get you to think. My Dad when he died was a short bald chubby guy flying Cessna 310s for Wyatt Oil of New Haven, Connecticut. But he was also a Naval aviator who was a veteran of the Pacific Theatre of WW II.
I know absent minded, sometimes silly old guys here in town who have shown me pictures of them when they fought in WW II.
In any event, thanks for serving in the U.S. Military, and I wish you all the success in the world at what you are doing. AIRBORNE!