Jean Kuty has returned from serving as Military and Family Life Consultant @ Schofield Barracks during July 2009 I have returned from Hawaii. I spent the month of July serving as a Military and Family Life Consultant for the U.S. Government. I was stationed at Schofield Barracks on the island of Oahu. Schofield Barracks is the largest Army post in Hawaii, located on an 18,000 acre site in central Oahu.  As a Military and Family Life Consultant, I provided counseling and psycho-education to Active Service Members, Guard and Reserve Components, their families and Veterans. Military service members and their families are faced with many challenges. The ongoing war places heightened stress on families due to the increase of deployments. Service members are faced with multiple deployments that are lasting from 12 to 15 months. Issues related to deployment, reintegration into family and community life upon returning from the war, single parenting and relationship skills are a few of the issues that we addressed. I found it to be an honor and a rewarding experience to work with military personnel and their families. I hope that you and your families have had a wonderful summer so far. I was spoiled by the breezy trade winds of the Pacific and am finding the heat challenging, as I am sure many of you are too! Summer is the time of the Fire element which we are experiencing in full force. Find some shade, eat some watermelon, jump in the river or a lake to cool off and remember to stay hydrated! --  Jean Kuty, LAc, LPC