However, back in the day I remember being muscled against a wall at LAX by a number of (then) security people...
Based on one security guy who took offense at "all those buttons and ribbons" and demanded that I remove any part of my uniform (I still have trouble calling a jacket a 'blouse') with offending metal bits.
Could well be that after several years of ratcheting security schemes today's TSA is experiencing the same sort of animosity toward the troops they see day after day.
He asked to be beaten and arrested? England may not have made the wisest of moves but that is hardly an something to be beaten and arrested for.
It troubles me that on FR, many condone arrest and police beatings if the person arrested wasn't a complete angel.