Colonel Thomas A. Staadt was commissioned as an Infantry Officer upon graduation from Officer Candidate School class 67-67 at Fort Benning, Georgia on 22 November, 1967. His first duty assignment was as an Executive Officer of the 49th Ordinance Company, Fort Riley, Kansas.

His notable duty assignments were: Flight Platoon Leader and Administrative Officer, 135th Assault Helicopter Company, Camp Bearcat, Republic of South Vietnam; Aero Rifle Platoon Leader, 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment, Fort Lewis, Washington; Commander, Processing Detachment, United States Army Support Command, Thailand; Assistant G-5, 4th Infantry Division, Fort Carson, Colorado; Commander, 190th Aviation Company, Olathe, Kansas; Chief, Aviation Division, 89th United States Army Reserve Command, Wichita, Kansas; Chief Umpire Controller, Aviation Team, 85th Division Mobilized Training Center, Fort Sheridan Illinois; Executive Officer, 305th Psychological Operations Battalion, Arlington Heights, Illinois; Chief Umpire Controller Aviation Team and Team Chief, Military Police Team, 85th Division Mobilized Training Center, Fort Sheridan, Illinois; Aviation Exercise Team Leader, 85th Division Mobilized Training Center, Fort Sheridan, Illinois; Aviation Staff Officer, 86th Army Reserve Command, Arlington Heights, Illinois; Battalion Commander, 3/501st Aviation Regiment, Glenview Naval Air Station, Glenview, Illinois; and Principle Emergency Preparedness Liaison Officer, Federal Emergency Management Agency Regions 1, First United States Army, Boston, Massachusetts.

His military education includes: Rotary Wing Aviator School, Infantry Officer Advance Course, and Command and General Staff College.

His highest military awards include: The Legion of Merit, Bronze Star, Meritorious Service Medal (4th Award), Air Medal (7th Award), Vietnam Service Medal, Humanitarian Service Medal, and Republic of Vietnam Campaign Military Medal.