COL Christopher R. Toner received his commission in 1987 as a distinguished military graduate of the ROTC program at Emporia State University, Emporia Kansas.

COL Toner's first assignment was with 1st Battalion, 15th Infantry, 3rd Infantry Division where he served as a Rifle Platoon Leader and Scout Platoon Leader.  In 1992, he was assigned to the 2nd Brigade, 7th Infantry Division (Light) where he served as the Brigade Plans and Operations Officer. In 1993, he was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 187th Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) where he served as a Rifle Company and Headquarters Company Commander. He was then assigned as the aide to the Commanding General, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault).

In 1999, COL Toner was assigned to the XVIII Airborne Corps at Fort Bragg where he served as a Corps War Planner.  Following this assignment, he served as the Operations Officer and Executive Officer in 2nd Battalion, 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 82nd Airborne Division. In 2002, he was assigned to the United States Strategic Command as a Global Missile Defense planner.

In 2004, COL Toner assumed command of 2nd Battalion, 87th Infantry Regiment, 10th Mountain Division. The battalion formed Task Force Catamount, deployed for 16 months in support of OEF 7/8, and was awarded the Valorous Unit Award.  In 2007, he assumed command of the Second Regiment of the United States Corps of Cadets, West Point, New York.

In June 2009, COL Toner assumed command of the 3rd Brigade, 1st Infantry Division (Provisional Headquarters – Forward) on Fort Knox and in September, COL Toner assumed command of the 3rd Brigade, 1st Infantry Division at Fort Hood, TX. The Brigade reformed, moved to Fort Knox, and was activated on 16 October 2009. In January, 2011, the Brigade formed Task Force Duke and deployed for a twelve month combat tour to Khost and Paktya Provinces, Regional Command-East, Afghanistan.

COL Toner is a graduate of the Naval War College, School for Advanced Military Studies, Command and General Staff College, the Infantry Officer Basic and Advanced Course, the Field Artillery Officer Advanced Course, the Air Assault course, the Airborne Course, Jumpmaster Course, and Ranger Course.

COL Toner's awards and decorations include the Valorous Unit Award, Bronze Star with oak leaf cluster, Purple Heart, the Combat Infantryman’s Badge, the Expert Infantryman’s Badge, Senior Parachutist Badge, and the Ranger Tab.