Brittany Sims

Share your military spouse story:
My military affiliation and appreciation started long before I was a military spouse myself! Both my father and my grandfather served in the Army, so I grew up in a military family. Then I was blessed to meet and marry my best friend and husband, Nick, who also serves in the Army. While we were stationed at Fort Liberty ( formerly Ft. Bragg), Nick and I opened a Metro Diner where I had the incredible privilege of serving the military community both through hosting military-centered events and by hiring fellow military spouses (many of whom stepped into management roles that PCS'd with them). I joined the SFRG as a key caller, eventually went on to be an SFRG leader and trainer, and I still currently serve as the SFRG leader for my husband's battalion. We moved to JBMHH during COVID which led me to became an advocate for Safe Military Housing. My experience in that role fueled my passion for helping and advocating for military families to have safe housing and led me to become a Realtor - a career that has allowed me to serve the military community in a way I never imagined I'd be able to. Since becoming a Realtor, I have served hundreds of military families on their PCS journey buying and selling homes. I have built a company that has two missions that are equally important to me; ensuring military families have safe housing and the opportunity to build generational wealth and providing military spouses with careers that they can take with them wherever the military takes them.

Share an example of your leadership experience within the military community:
I have served as an SFRG leader multiple times, and I am currently serving as the SFRG leader for my husband's battalion. In my time as an SFRG leader, I have led groups of spouses through some extremely difficult times. One that changed me forever was a particularly difficult deployment where I took families of fallen soldiers under my wing, took care of them, made sure they had everything they needed and made sure they were connected every resource available to them.

Describe your involvement in the military community:
The military is interwoven throughout my entire life; my husband, my children, and my career. I stand by my husband's side and support him in his career. I am the mother of 5 boys, helping to guide them on their own journeys as military kids. My career revolves around serving the military community by guiding them through their real estate journeys. I host events for military families and always stay involved in what's happening on post. I am passionate about serving as SFRG leader where I'm able to support fellow military wives.

Describe how you support your community:
I support my community through service in every area of my life. I, along with my family and my company, stay involved in and host events, training, education, and volunteer opportunities centered around our military community. As an SFRG leader, I stay connected to fellow military spouses and support them through everything life throws their way.

What do you advocate for? Why?
I advocate for military families to have safe housing. I have dedicated my career to advocating for military families and educating them on utilizing the benefits of their VA Loan to build generational wealth for their families, and I am passionate about advocating for military spouses to have the support and resources they need.

How have you spread the message of your platform/advocacy?
I have a very active and engaging presence on all social media platforms where I share my passion and advocacy for military families almost daily.

What do you hope to accomplish with the AFI Military Spouse of the Year^® title?
I hope to accomplish just making a difference. Allowing others to know you can be more than just a "spouse'. You can find passion in hobbies, jobs, education, friendships and new opportunities that we each are so honored to come upon being part of this military community & world. While being a military spouse/partner can have trying times, it can also be such a special time in your lives to experience so many things. For those spouses just starting this journey, to know you are never alone. Embrace the lifestyle.