In this inspiring episode of Tactical Wealth, we sit down with retired Command Sergeant Major Tonya Oxendine, a trailblazing military leader, master paratrooper, veteran advocate, and one of the first Black female Command Sergeant Majors in the 82nd Airborne Division.
Tonya's journey began on a dirt road in St. Augustine, Florida, where she grew up in a single-parent household and learned resilience long before she ever put on a uniform. What followed was a remarkable 30-year Army career that saw her rise through the enlisted ranks, serve as a drill sergeant, lead soldiers around the world, and ultimately reach the highest levels of enlisted leadership.
But this conversation goes beyond military achievement. Tonya opens up about overcoming adversity, navigating leadership when few people looked like her, confronting mental health challenges after service, and finding renewed purpose through her work helping veterans at Wounded Warrior Project.
In this episode, we dive into:
πͺ From Dirt Roads to Airborne Operations: How Tonya transformed humble beginnings into a historic military career.
ποΈ Reaching the Top of the Army: The leadership principles that carried her to Command Sergeant Major and the highest enlisted ranks.
βοΈ Leadership Is a People's Business: Why serving others, not chasing rank, is the true foundation of great leadership.
π§ Mental Health & Finding Purpose Again: Tonya's candid story of struggle, recovery, and rediscovering meaning after military service.
πͺ Wealth Through Health: Why physical fitness, mental resilience, and purpose are the cornerstones of lasting success.
πΊπΈ Veteran Transition Lessons: Practical advice for service members preparing for life after the uniform comes off.
π Financial Wisdom Learned the Hard Way: From expensive mistakes to building generational wealth with the help of a trusted financial advisor.
Whether you're serving today, transitioning into civilian life, leading a team, or simply looking for inspiration to overcome adversity, Tonya's story is a powerful reminder that your circumstances do not determine your future.
π Ready to stay tactical and stay driven? Hit SUBSCRIBE and join us for another conversation on leadership, purpose, and building wealth that lasts.
EPISODE RESOURCES
What is Tactical Wealth: From Military to Money?
Tactical Wealth is the podcast built to empower the military and veteran community to take control of their financial future.
From navigating the military to civilian life transition, to launching businesses, growing your income, and building long-term wealth, each episode brings you real stories and actionable insights from those whoβve gone from boots on the ground to building lasting wealth.
Hosted by Kaj Larsen, former Navy SEAL, award-winning journalist, and mission-driven entrepreneur. Kaj successfully co-founded a financial technology company and sold the company in 2024. The podcast features hard truth conversations with successful veteran entrepreneurs, CEOs, and top financial experts.
Whether you're still in uniform or already charting your next chapter, this podcast gives you the tactical tools to lead with impact in your finances and beyond. Letβs get tactical.
Tactical Wealth is a Gebbia Media production, brought to you by Siebert.Valor, a military-focused initiative from Siebert Financial. The Tactical Wealth podcast is for informational and entertainment purposes only. The views expressed by guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of Siebert Financial. This podcast does not constitute investment advice, an offer to sell, or a solicitation to buy any securities. Past performance is not indicative of future results. Listeners should consult a qualified financial professional before making any investment decisions.
For more information and disclosures, please visit siebert.com/disclosures.