Burma National Army
Tin Mya was born on 9 September 1924 in Danuphyu, Ayeyarwady Division, British Burma to parents Pho Nyein and Ohn Pwint. He joined the anti-colonial movement Dobama Asiayone. In 1945, he served as political commissar in the Seventh Military Region of the Burma National Army. In the same year he was included in the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Burma as an alternate member. When the Communist Party was divided in early 1946, he joined Thakin Soe's break-away group (the Red Flag Communist Party).