Ask the Doc: How Can I Protect My Family and Buddies from Ticks?

My kids and spouse are outside all the time in the woods by our house on base. I worry about them getting bitten and infected by ticks, and there are a lot of them during the summer months. I need some tips to prevent tick-borne infection. What do we do if we find one of the creepy bugs on me, a family member, our pets, or while on-duty in the field?