Colonel Mike Tarsa is a 1987 graduate of the United States Military Academy. From April 1988-April 1992, he served as Fire Direction Officer, Platoon Leader and TF Fire Support Officer with 2-3 Field Artillery in Germany. As Platoon Leader, he fought with 1st BDE, 3rd AD during Operations Desert Shield / Desert Storm. After the Advance Course, he reported to 2-8 FA at Fort Ord California, then Fort Lewis Washington. In that unit, he served as BN FSO, Adjutant and then Battery Commander. While commanding, COL Tarsa led a two-battery force to Guantanamo Bay Cuba for a six-month humanitarian relief mission. After command, he earned his MBA from Pacific Lutheran University and returned to West Point as the Athlete Admissions Officer and Congressional Liaison. Assigned in June of 2001 to the 25th ID(L) in Hawaii, COL Tarsa first served in 3-7 FA as the BDE FSO, then Executive Officer for 2-11 FA and finally as Executive Officer to the CG, US Army Pacific.

Assigned to the 1st CAV in August of 2004, COL Tarsa deployed to serve as the DIV Chief of Plans and Effects Coordination during OIF2. Upon his return, he assumed command of the 3rd Battalion 82nd Field Artillery "Red Dragons" from July 2005-April 2008. In the wake of Hurricane Katrina, his unit provided security and humanitarian relief to New Orleans' residents. In October 2006, the Red Dragons deployed again for OIF 06-08. In Baghdad, COL Tarsa's unit conducted full spectrum operations in Qadisiyah and Janayn; executed over 2,500 Department of State convoy escort missions and fired over 4,500 rounds of artillery in support of MND-Baghdad. Following command, COL Tarsa became the Corps Deputy Chief of Staff, then the Chief of Staff of III Corps and Fort Hood. Departing Fort Hood in July 2009, he then fulfilled a USAWC Fellowship at the University of Texas.

COL Tarsa's awards and decorations include the Legion of Merit, Bronze Star Medal with two Oak Leaf Clusters, Meritorious Service Medal with three Oak Leaf Clusters, Army Commendation Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster and the Army Achievement Medal with two Oak Leaf Clusters. A 2001 graduate of the Command and General Staff College, he is Airborne, Air Assault and Ranger qualified.