Photo By Emily McCamy | Army Capt. Marguerite Mogul finishes strong as she completes a 12-mile run which took...... read more read more
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By Emily Russell
Joint Task Force Guantanamo Public Affairs
GUANTANAMO BAY, Cuba – You have probably noticed her running early in the morning to Cable Beach or mid-afternoon to Windmill Beach. When she's not training for a race, she averages 30-35 miles a week but rarely more than 40. If she's training for a particular race, it's not uncommon for her to run 60 miles for three to four weeks prior. Committed, ambitious, modest; three adjectives that accurately describe Army Capt. Marguerite Mogul.
"I plan everything around running; my day, my long term goals, my short term goals ... if I have to get up at 3 a.m. to run, I do it. I prioritize my schedule around it. I don't know what I'd do if I couldn't run," said Mogul.
Mogul demonstrates her grit and determination through her rigorous training, but the proof is found in her race results. She competed in the Labor of Love Marathon in Las Vegas recently and took first place overall with a run time of 3:41:10.
"I start out every single race just wanting to finish with no injuries. If I run well, that's good," Mogul said. "You can't go out there on race day and fake it, you can't sham through it. Some days you don't run well ... but the good thing about running is it's all on you, nobody can take it away from you."
Mogul keeps a list of 10 goals she's always wanted to accomplish in life. As she attains each goal, she adds a new one. Her current list includes: completing a long road trip on a motorcycle, qualifying for a big race like the Boston Marathon in 2009, and getting in one more skydive before she deploys to Afghanistan in June.
Mogul, a 17-year member of the Army Reserve, has spent much of her time deployed on temporary duty. As a Staff Judge Advocate with the Criminal Investigation Task Force based out of Fort Belvoir, Va., she has been deployed to Iraq, Cuba and soon, Afghanistan.
Originally enlisted, Mogul received a direct commission after she completed law school at Nova Southeastern University, located in Florida.
"I quit the Reserves during law school...but I just had too much time (invested) not to go back for my retirement," explained Mogul. "I have been blessed with a lot of opportunities and an interesting life; I always felt like I needed to give back. Being part of something greater ... allows me to give back in my own way. I want to serve my country – I love it."
During Mogul's military career she has played a significant role in detainee operations. While deployed with her previous unit, the 452nd Military Police Brigade Liaison Detachment, under the 43rd Brigade, she helped in closing down the infamous Abu Ghraib prison in Iraq.
"I can't put my name on it, but I'm really proud to be part of the team that closed it down," said Mogul. "The actions of a few people stained everything and all the good we were doing. I think it was good to close it down; it meant a lot to the Iraqi people."
In Guantanamo Bay, Mogul's job has kept her engaged as an advocate with the Joint Task Force. In Afghanistan she will be part of a team which will help establish a court system, and act as liaison between the Afghan people and the government.
When Mogul is not deployed, she is employed as a lawyer for a private practice in Florida. In her free time, she continues to seek adventure and accomplish the goals she sets. Recently she completed a book she wrote and sent it to her friend, an editor, who is reviewing it.
"I wrote a book about my tour in Iraq ... it was one of my goals and I'm so pleased that I finished it. We'll see how it goes with regard to publishing," she said.
Spirituality plays a significant role in Mogul's life, and its presence is often echoed in her words.
"When (God's) not carrying me, he's pushing me" she said.
During Mogul's tour at Guantanamo, her 'carpe diem' approach to life has left an impression with those who know her as an independent and motivated Soldier, who doesn't let opportunity leave her in the dust – as she left other runners during competitive events.
"Life is too short – I could be gone tomorrow," said Mogul. "I'm not going to leave this world wanting to do something. [In the end] if I haven't gotten to it, then it just wasn't meant to be."
| Date Taken: | 05.09.2008 |
| Date Posted: | 05.15.2008 10:39 |
| Story ID: | 19434 |
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| Web Views: | 368 |
| Downloads: | 342 |
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