 He was promoted to lieutenant colonel in command of the 4th Divisional Signals (1926–29), the 3rd Divisional Signals (1929–35) and the 57th/60th Battalion (1935–39).Following the outbreak of the Second World War, Stevens was seconded to the Second Australian Imperial Force on 13 October 1939 and placed in command of the 6th Divisional Signals.He was chosen in April 1940 as the commander of the 21st Brigade, and was promoted to colonel and temporary brigadier.