Colonel Donny W. Hebel is the seventeenth Commander of the 278th Cavalry Regiment (MBCT), headquartered in Knoxville, Tennessee. Born on February 5, 1977, in Fort Campbell, Kentucky, he is the son of Joseph Hebel, a retired Army SFC and veteran of Operation Desert Shield/Desert Storm, and Udom Hebel of Bonpang, Thailand.

Colonel Hebel earned his commission into Active Duty in 1999 after completing his Bachelor of Science Degree from Austin Peay State University. His military education is extensive, including the Infantry Officer Basic Course, the Maneuver Captain’s Career Course, the Command and General Staff College (ILE), and The Advanced Operations Course (AOC). He also holds a Master of Strategic Studies from the United States Army War College.

Throughout his distinguished career, Colonel Hebel has held numerous leadership and staff positions. His assignments have included Infantry Rifle Platoon Leader, Company Executive Officer, Battalion S2, ROTC and OCS Instructor, Troop Commander, and various key roles at the Joint Force Headquarters-Tennessee, including Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations (G3). His service includes multiple combat and operational deployments: Operation Enduring Freedom (2002), Operation Iraqi Freedom (2003-2004), Operation New Dawn (2010), and Operation Atlantic Resolve (2018-2019). His leadership continues on the international stage as Task Force Saber of the 278th Cavalry Regiment (MBCT) recently assumed command of the Joint Multinational Training Group-Ukraine mission.

Colonel Hebel’s valor and service have been recognized with numerous awards and decorations, including the Bronze Star Medal with two Oak Leaf Clusters, the Meritorious Service Medal with four Oak Leaf Clusters, the Ranger Tab, the Combat Infantryman's Badge, the Expert Infantryman's Badge, the Parachutist Badge, the Air Assault Badge, and the Pathfinder Badge.

He and his wife of 25 years, Kristi, currently reside in Nashville, Tennessee. They have one son, Justin, an 18-year-old Eagle Scout who is actively working toward earning his Eagle Scout rank. The family also includes two Border Collies, Max and Charlie.