Rear Admiral Hebner graduated from West Virginia University in August 1979 and received his commission from Officer Candidate School in December 1979. He is the son of Master Chief (ret.) and Mrs. Jack Hebner.

Hebner has served at sea in seven cruiser/destroyer platforms. He commanded USS The Sullivans (DDG 68) from September 1998 to February 2000, and USS Gettysburg (CG 64) from September 2002 to October 2004. Most recently he served as commander, Carrier Strike Group 7 and commander, Ronald Reagan Strike Group from October 2008 to December 2009.

Hebner has served in a variety of major staff positions to include chief of naval operations staff as Cruise Missile section head and as executive assistant to the chief of naval operations. He has also served two assignments in the Bureau of Naval Personnel as a lieutenant commander assignment officer/branch head and most recently as assistant commander, Navy Personnel Command for Career Management (PERS-4). Other key positions include Office of the Secretary of Defense staff as an assistant for Naval Analysis and Contingency Plans, and an overseas tour as executive assistant to the commander, Allied Joint Force Command Naples/U.S. Naval Forces Europe.

Hebner attended the National Defense University, graduating from the Industrial College of the Armed Forces with a Masters of Science degree in National Resource Strategy.