Is it right/legal to force soldier to get a Unit T-shirt?

My unit (BN) has a T-shirt made up while we where deployed, i didn't want to pay for it since its black and its already hot enough, never-mind the fact its not even nice to look at. but one of my higher ups got it for me when i came down range (as i came later due to dwell time). i payed her back for it, then stated, very tactfully; that i will not pay anyone back if they come out with any other shirts and to please not get me another. well what do you know?!; my Company this time made a shirt and i held my ground and refused to get this shirt, when news made it up the chain that several Soldiers (to include myself) didn't want another shirt (its black as well). it was told to all the PLT SGTs a time and place to sign for gear that the uniform will be PTs but with the Company T shirt, or they will have to be in Full Battle gear instead (mind you, the time table was set for the middle of the day and my vest weights more than 75 LBS do to ammo and what not ). i still sticking to my guns elected to wear the full battle kit but i was then given a shirt i know they are trying to promote Esprit DE Corps, maybe even raise a little money for stuff. Its not that i dont have the money, so that's not an issue, but is this not a form of extortion when there is a blatant punishment for this.