Na verdade, cabe aos agentes do Serviço Secreto decidir se querem ou não usar um colete, pois podem ser volumosos e quentes.
Esta foi uma questão levantada em um fórum da West Wing . A maior parte da resposta é conjectura baseada no personagem do programa, eles também receberam uma resposta de e-mail real:
Wouldn't a secret service agent be wearing a bullet proof vest?
We were sent the following via email: "As someone with some experience working press advance for the President, I can tell you that it has been my experience that Secret Service agents do not wear vests. In fact, I don't think I have ever noticed anything other than they wear very nice suits (required to be black, charcoal or navy) and white shirts."
Isso é feito em No Serviço Secreto do Presidente do autor mais vendido Ronald Kessler, que tem vários livros de não ficção sobre o Serviço Secreto, o FBI e a CIA:
Since the attempts on Ford’s life, presidents have generally worn bulletproof vests at public events. They are currently Kevlar Type Three vests that will stop rounds from most handguns and rifles but not from more powerful weapons. Agents on the president’s and vice president’s details are now supposed to wear them at public events, but some agents prefer not to wear them. While the vests have been improved, they are uncomfortable and can make life unbearable on a hot day.