Phil C. ⋅ Fort Worth, TX ⋅ 3 years experience

What's up with your GI Bill? Can you use that to go to trade school?

https://www.calvet.ca.gov/veteran-services-benefits/education

Each state has it's own VA. Have you contacted The California Department of Veterans Affairs? Your profile states " I have around 60 college credits but haven't finished my degree." I would recommend using the GI Bill coupled with state VA benefits to finish college with a "useful" degree. That would rule basically any degree that starts with a P.

John McNally ⋅ Maple Valley, WA West Monroe Partners ⋅ 30 years experience

Tyler,
Most large electric utilities will train lineman. The larger utilities are geared to help this situation, even if not with them. It sounds like you want to live in California. What area in California? There are utilities operated by cities (for example, Glendale, Anaheim, Riverside, Sacramento) and the larger ones, PG&E, SCE, and San Diego Gas & Electric. Contact utilities in your current area to gain background on the job and how people typically get started. They will also be able to help you identify utilities where you would like to live.

If you Google 'utility lineman jobs' you will see listing and some job banks (Indeed.com, careerbuilder, monster). You will see advertisements for Apprentice linemen. Those don't typically require school. The next step is Journeyman certification. You can find schools or you may find a job that will help you get the certification while you work. The certification is useful for career advancement.

A separate post from you asks a question involving limited disability. Lineman need to be strong and physically fit,. The job entails climbing and clearing and pulling line and sometimes long hours in uncomfortable conditions ( I am guessing you have experienced something comparable).

John

Robert Stevenson ⋅ Garner, NC Substation Engineering Co ⋅ 25 years experience

Pacific Gas and Electric has a Linesman school. You can check PG&E Academy and PowerPathway program.

Patrick Hogan ⋅ Lemont, IL Hogantec Inc. ⋅ 30 years experience

You can try Airstream Renewable Energies " Renewable Energy & Communication Tower Technician Program." They will except your GI Bill.