ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — An intensive effort to help Minnesota veterans find civilian jobs is paying off.

National Guard officials say most of the 2,700 soldiers from the “Red Bull” Division who returned from the Mideast last spring have found work. Of the more than 500 who returned without civilian jobs, Minnesota Public Radio reports only 35 are still looking for work.

Capt. Ron Jarvi Jr., who helps soldiers connect with unemployment resources, says it’s a great accomplishment.

Guard officials didn’t wait for the troops to come home. Instead, they took the help to them, overseas. Last spring, a team of military officials accompanied government, education and business leaders to Kuwait to help prepare troops for the job hunt. Once soldiers were stateside, efforts to connect them with job and education resources intensified.