Sandi Primous

A 20-year veteran of the United States Army, Sandi Primous is living proof of the benefits that can come from decades of service to our country. Having grown up in a military family, with her father and uncle both enlisted in branches of the Armed Forces, young Sandi knew the value of hard work. So much so, she graduated high school at age 16 and began her military career at age 17. “Entering the military at the age of 17 had an effect on me like no other,” she says. “What I mean is, I grew up, matured, and learned responsibility at a very young age. The Army reiterated values I learned at home such as honor, respect, and integrity. The Army instilled lifelong values in me such as loyalty, duty, personal courage, and selfless service.”

Over the two decades she served, Primous worked in tactical communications, providing communications services for all areas of the Army. From Germany to Korea to Kosovo to Iraq and countless places in between, she saw much of the world while working in this capacity. But the opportunity to visit a multitude of places around the globe, while a definite perk, was not the greatest benefit for Sandi. “The longer I stayed in, my leadership skills became more refined plus my confidence continued to build. After only a year, I was positively impacted. After 20 years, I am shaped into the person I am today. The good news is, I really like that person……now,” she comments.

It wasn’t all easy, though. “There has been a lot of hard work to get to this point,” Primous admits. “I would be remiss not to mention the struggle, pain, and sacrifice that you deal with and drag your family through when you serve your country for 20+ years. One thing for sure, if asked to do it all over again, I absolutely would. In my opinion, there is no better duty than serving something greater than myself.”

After achieving a number of medals, badges, and honors, including a Bronze Star Medal, Primous retired from the U.S. Army in 2004 as a first sergeant (1SG). Following her retirement, Sandi received two Master’s degrees in Counseling and Social Work and utilized those skills in public service as a social worker and family advocate.

Now, having lived in Forney for a little over a year, Sandi is officially enjoying retired life once again, although she still does not have much downtime. Most of her days are spent serving her community and spending time with her family, including her granddaughter. “I love Forney because it has such a hometown feeling,” she states. “I also love the way everyone speaks to each other and knows one another. No matter where I go, I normally see someone that I either know or met before. I am welcomed every place I go. Although my children are grown, I feel Forney is a great place to raise a family. I must say that Forney is not just my city, nor is it just a place I bought a house. Forney is my new forever home.”