Dr. Gerald Alpern, Ph.D., a Korean War veteran, began treating WWII and Korean military personnel as a neuropsychiatric technician at Valley forge Army Hospital in 1954. He spent fifteen years as a professor at Indiana University Medical School, where he authored a number of professional books, articles, and psychological tests. Since moving to Aspen, Colorado in 1975, he has maintained a private psychology practice, which has included a multitude of U. S. veterans.The Huts for Vets program has been a perfect fit for Dr. Alpern’s major interest in the healing powers of wilderness and the therapeutic needs of returning veterans. He joined the HFV board a the outset and has participated as a volunteer for every HFV trip to provide any mental health support that might be needed. During the hut trips, he has led seminars offering practical psychological guidance and self-administered psychological tools for the participating veterans.Dr. Alpern’s methods for treating post-9/11 veterans are to do so with an emphasis on peer-to-peer counseling, in the same way that Alcoholic Annonymous and cancer support groups have successfully used similar peer-to-peer therapy techniques. His book offers guidance to vets, loved ones of vets, and mental health professionals on how to maximize vets’ healthy return to civilian lives.