Brig. Gen. Mike Tarsa, outgoing deputy commanding general, 4th Infantry Division and Fort Carson, addresses Soldiers and Family members of the Mountain Post during a retreat ceremony at the flagstaff on Founders Plaza Aug. 5, 2015. (Photo by Sgt. William Smith)
By Sgt. William Smith
4th Infantry Division Public Affairs Office
The 4th Infantry Division and Fort Carson bid farewell to a deputy commanding general during a retreat ceremony at Founders Plaza Aug. 5, 2015.
Brig. Gen. Mike Tarsa departed Fort Carson to serve as the deputy commander of the 3rd (United Kingdom) Division, England. During his 18 months at the Mountain Post, he served as the acting senior commander, deputy commanding general and the commander for the Mission Command Element in Europe.
Maj. Gen. Ryan F. Gonsalves, commanding general, 4th Inf. Div. and Fort Carson, talked about the important role that Tarsa filled.
“Since Brig. Gen. Tarsa’s arrival to Fort Carson in February 2014, as the acting senior commander, he hit the ground running as the post’s senior leader,” said Gonsalves. “Filling the void of three general officers that a division would typically have available, his duty log reads that of a division staff with its full complement of leadership.”
As the 4th Inf. Div. began its alignment with the U.S. European Command and its regionally aligned forces mission, Tarsa led the division’s MCE during Operation Combined Resolve III in Germany and Europe coordinating multinational training in Europe, explained Gonsalves.
“Over the span of four and a half months with the MCE, Mike’s leadership allowed the MCE to not just achieve but to exceed every expectation that the U.S. Army European Command and the chief of staff of the Army had for the mission,” said Gonsalves.
As the state and territory flags of the United States rippled in the background, Tarsa said he was thankful for all of the outstanding officers, NCOs and Soldiers who made his time with the 4th Inf. Div. and Fort Carson something he will never forget.
“It is not just what we do as leaders but the way we do it,” Tarsa said. “Know as I depart this ivy patch today, I will endeavor to remain ‘Steadfast and Loyal.’”
Tarsa said the division motto — Steadfast and Loyal — perfectly evokes all that is expected of Soldiers.
“Steadfast in our purpose to prepare for and win our nation’s wars,” he said. “Steadfast in our resolve each day to complete each task no matter how difficult. Steadfast in one’s duty to preserve and contribute to the cherished professionalism that has defined our Army.
“Loyal to the needs of the nation,” he said. “Loyal to our Army Values and Warrior Ethos, loyalty to our proud units, each other and our Families, our motto perfectly proclaims everything each of us should aspire to be.”