Minnesota State Colleges and Universities is a big part of an "unprecedented" trip to Kuwait.

A nine-member "Employment Resource Team" -- which also includes representatives from DEED, the St. Paul Area Chamber of Commerce and Target -- aims to help returning Minnesota National Guard members prepare for a tough job market.

MnSCU is sending Gina Sobania, the system's military education director. She will be working with soldiers on using My Military GPS LifePlan, an online tool to help veterans and service members plan a successful transition to civilian life, a spokeswoman said.

Sobania is blogging about the trip. So far, her posts have covered plans, packing and lodging. "By the end of our time there, my colleague and I will have done 30, 40-minute workshops," she wrote Monday. "Goodness!"

Also along for the trip is Star Tribune editorial board member and columnist John Rash, who wrote about the mission last week: