Liminality as defined by Image and Pilgrimage in Christian Culture is, “The state and process of mid-transition in a rite of passage. Dr. Redick already used boot camp as an example of liminality, and I would have to agree. I went through basic training in 2006 at Ft. Leonard wood, Missouri.
When I first arrived there I was alright; I was still “me” with my clothes, and my backpack, and my hair. That quickly changed and within two days I had none of my clothes, no backpack, and absolutely no hair. I was basically nothing, and my drill sergeants made sure to reiterate that fact. I was called by my last name and nothing else; except when I messed up, and then I heard every curse word known. This didn’t change the entire 5 months I was there.
Graduation from basic training to AIT had come and gone, everything was still the same. Finally, commencement began for final graduation. Once the ceremony was completed, that was it. All the BS was over and done with and I, along with all the other graduates were considered soldiers, not last names. I compare my experience to liminality because I went from being known as a person, to basically a trainee and nothing else, and eventually a soldier
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