IIRC, the shirts were more t-shirt priced (maybe $27 tops) but they were ugly as sin and if you're coming as a fuzzy you're not making shit anyway to really be spending it.

They have contractors (imagine toothless fat redneck bubba and his large sons, greasy wife) come in and do their little sales pitched that you're forced to attend. It's very exploitative because you're not spending that money anywhere else, most of the kids have completely drank the Koolaid and are 100% sure they're going to be BFF with everyone they met.

The plaques and yearbooks(i know lol) I referred to earlier were the more expensive stuff.

Also, there's a commissary that you can go to after you graduate and the kids with money left, some would blow it all, would instantly buy expensive electronics etc. (ps4's etc.) They really are children still with no life skills, which is fine but it makes more sense to me that they gain those life skills not under a user like the military. blablablalbabla

As far as the abuse goes, the military has gotten really soft compared to what I heard what happened in early 2000's.

For example, back then, when you got a ribbon or you promoted, your colleagues would stick the ribbon or patch on you and punch it into you. The ribbons have little spikes to fit onto your uniform. They go into your skin. it ouchie. Very dumb hazing shit. The military learned since that that's not good.

Like, I would say the bigger problem is that a lot of the people who join are STILL WAY TOO YOUNG. Fresh out of high school means no life experience and it's very easy to be manipulated at that age. Especially if you come from no where, nothing or are already indoctrinated.

im rambling and tired my bad