Captain Joseph Anthony Donner was commissioned as an Infantry Officer upon graduation from Officer Candidate School class 22-69 at Fort Benning, Georgia on 11 July, 1969. His first duty assignment was as Platoon Leader, Company B, 3rd Battalion, 3rd Brigade, Advanced Infantry Training Center, Fort Polk, Louisiana.

His subsequent duty assignment was: Executive Officer, Company B, 3rd Battalion, 3rd Brigade, Advanced Infantry Training Center, Fort Polk, Louisiana; Advanced Infantry Training Center, Fort Polk, Louisiana; Platoon Leader, 57th Attack Helicopter Company, 52nd Battalion, 1st Aviation Brigade, Vietnam; Brigade Aviation Officer, 2nd Brigade, 9th Infantry Division, Fort Lewis, Washington; and Battalion S-2, 2nd Battalion, 60th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade, 9th Infantry Division, Fort Lewis, Washington. His last duty assignment was served as Liaison Officer, Nuclear, Biological, and Chemical Committee, Infantry School, Fort Benning, Georgia.

His military education includes: United States Army Aviation School, Infantry Officer Advanced Course and Nuclear and Chemical Target Analysis Course.

His highest military awards include: Distinguished Flying Cross, Bronze Star Medal, Air Medal, Vietnam Service Medal with 2 Bronze Stars, Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal, and Army Aviator Badge.

He is currently a registered volunteer at the Minneapolis Veterans Affairs Health Care System, providing transportation to the Community Resource and Referral Center for homeless Veterans and attributing to the decrease of Veteran homelessness by 46% in the local area. He has also volunteered support to the Special Olympics in: Woodbury, Minnesota; Atlanta Georgia; and Albuquerque, New Mexico. He is the creator and administrator of the Officer Candidate School Class 22-69 Facebook page so alumni can stay connected.