“I am a lineman for the county
And I drive the main road
Searching in the sun for another overload.”

Wichita Lineman, by Glen Campbell. 1968 Classic.

Overland Park, Missouri. (November 7, 2024): This number one hit in 1969 by Glen Campbell (are we dating ourselves) romanticized the lonely electric lineman plying his essential trade, out in the worst weather, struggling to keep the power flowing. In this photo by Sergeant Jason Palacios, Soldiers participate in a lineman's rodeo event to show off their power distribution skills. This forty-year-old Rodeo attracts the best linemen from around the world to compete in various events. Since September 1984, the Rodeo has grown to over three hundred teams and 450 apprentices.

Teams compete in the “hurt man rescue” exercise where teams must “rescue” a one-hundred-and-fifty-pound mannequin from atop a forty-foot pole. Another timed event requires competitors to scale a pole with a raw egg in their mouth. Unfortunately for some, they had to endure the bitter taste on the way down. Apprentices also take a written test that measures their knowledge of basic skills.

The event served as a showcase for those interested in careers as an Army Power Distribution Specialist (12Q). The job is open to U.S. citizens aged 17 to 34 years old with a high school equivalency and no law or medical concerns. After Basic Combat Training, candidates will spend twelve weeks learning how to build, install, and maintain electrical distribution systems like utility poles, power lines, and electrical hardware that supply power for all operations. The average salary of a starting civilian line worker is 70K plus benefits.