Donny Hebel to Serve as Land Component Commander

NASHVILLE, Tenn. - Tennessee’s Adjutant General, Maj. Gen. Warner Ross, has announced that Col. Donny Hebel will serve as the Tennessee Military Department’s Land Component Commander effective September 1. Hebel’s new position will replace Brig. Gen. Steven Turner as the Assistant Adjutant General-Army, who is being promoted to Tennessee’s Deputy Adjutant General.

Hebel currently serves as the Chief of the Joint Staff for the Tennessee Military Department where he is responsible for providing executive leadership, management, and synchronizing the primary staff between the Army and Air National Guard while advising the Tennessee Adjutant General on all joint mission issues and requirements. In his new position as Tennessee’s Land Component Commander, Hebel will command and ensure the readiness of all Army forces assigned in Tennessee and will be the primary advisor on all Army matters.

Hebel has served in the military for more than 27 years, beginning his career as an Active-Duty Infantry officer after graduation from Austin Peay State University in 1999. After active service, he joined the Tennessee Army National Guard. Throughout his career he served in various roles to include platoon leader, company executive officer, ROTC and Officer Candidate School instructor, troop commander, squadron commander, commander of the 278th Armored Cavalry Regiment, and various key roles at Tennessee’s Joint Force Headquarters including Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations.

His service includes multiple combat and operational deployments to include Operation Enduring Freedom in 2002, Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2003, Operation New Dawn in 2010, and Operation Atlantic Resolve in 2018 and 2025. He also earned a Master of Strategic Studies from the United States Army War College.

Hebel and his wife of 25 years, Kristi, currently reside in Nashville. They have one son, Justin, who is a student at Auburn University.

Upon confirmation by the U.S. Senate, Hebel will be promoted to the rank of Brigadier General.