Born and raised in kibbutz Manara in the Upper Galilee, Israel, he volunteered for a Service Year, like most youngsters of the kibbutz, before enlisting to the IDF. Tamir holds a rank of a major in Reserve Duty in the Armor Corps of the IDF. He fought in the First Lebanon War, and took part in the Battle of Jezzine (1982). Later on he was a trainer in the corps Officers Academy, and was a Company Commander. He was asked to stay for a career in the combat units of the military, but he preferred to retire and join the Diplomatic service.