Command Sgt. Maj. Donny R. Thornton

Command Sergeant Major (CSM) Donny R. Thornton is a native of Kenai, Alaska. He graduated from Klamath Union High School in Klamath Falls, Oregon, in 1998 and enlisted in the United States Army in October 1999 as a 12B, Combat Engineer. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Organizational Management and a Master of Science in Management.

CSM Thornton completed Basic Combat Training and Advanced Individual Training at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri. His initial assignment was with the 18th Engineer Company, 3rd Stryker Brigade Combat Team (SBCT), 2nd Infantry Division, where he served from February 2000 to May 2008. During this time, he deployed twice to Mosul, Iraq: first as a Team Leader from November 2003 to October 2004, and again as a Squad Leader from June 2006 to February 2007.

From May 2008 to June 2011, CSM Thornton served as a Platoon Sergeant with the 37th Engineer Battalion, 20th Engineer Brigade, Fort Bragg, North Carolina, deploying to Baqubah, Iraq, from June 2009 to May 2010. He later served as a Military Science Instructor with Eastern Washington University ROTC in Spokane, Washington, from June 2011 to August 2013.

In August 2013, he returned to the 18th Engineer Company, 3rd SBCT, 7th Infantry Division, Joint Base Lewis–McChord, Washington, serving as the Company Operations NCO through September 2015. From September 2015 to April 2017, he served at the Pentagon as an Assistant Inspector General in the Department of the Army Inspector General (DAIG) Record Screening and Oversight Division.

Beginning in April 2017, CSM Thornton served with the 8th Brigade Engineer Battalion, 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, Fort Cavazos (formerly Fort Hood), Texas, including a rotation to the Republic of Korea. He then served as First Sergeant for both the 937th Clearance Company and the Headquarters and Headquarters Company within the 20th Engineer Battalion.

Following his time as a senior Military Science Instructor at Bucknell University in Lewisburg, Pennsylvania, he attended the United States Army Sergeants Major Academy in El Paso, Texas, where he earned the General Ralph Haines Research and Writing Award for his work on trauma and suicide in the military. He next served as the Operations Sergeant Major for the 555th Engineer Brigade at Joint Base Lewis–McChord, Washington.

From April 2024 to November 2025, CSM Thornton served as the Command Sergeant Major for the 864th Engineer Battalion, 555th Engineer Brigade, Joint Base Lewis–McChord, Washington.

CSM Thornton’s military education includes the Warrior Leader Course, Advanced Leader Course, Senior Leader Course, Airborne School, Air Assault School, Route Clearance Leader Course, Unit Prevention Leader Course, Instructor Trainer Course, Raven Operator Trainer Course, Master Resilience Trainer Course, Inspector General School, Instructor Certification Course, and the Joint Engineer Operations Course.

His awards and decorations include the Bronze Star Medal (1 OLC), Meritorious Service Medal (3 OLC), Army Commendation Medal (4 OLC), Army Achievement Medal (2 OLC), Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal with two service stars, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Korea Defense Service Medal, Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal (1 OLC), Noncommissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon with numeral 3, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon with numeral 3, Combat Action Badge, Parachutist Badge, Air Assault Badge, and the Bronze de Fleury Medal.

CSM Thornton is married to Dr. Rebecca Thornton. They have two sons, Thomas and Jace. The family enjoys international travel, snorkeling, and all Oregon Ducks sports.