CPT Taylor Gugel grew up in Highlands Ranch, Colorado  and earned her bachelor’s degree in sociology from the UMASS in Amherst, Massachusetts. After graduation, she was commissioned through ROTC into the Transportation branch. CPT Gugel first served as a platoon leader and as a Mobility Officer in 916th Sustainment Brigade in Fort Irwin, California. CPT Gugel was then assigned as an executive officer in 551st Inland Cargo Transfer Company in 19th Material Support Command, in Camp Carroll, Korea. 

After promoting to Captain, she worked in the support operations section in 4th Brigade Support Battalion in 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team (1SBCT), 4ID. She soon took company command of Echo Forward Support Company, 299th Brigade Engineering Battalion. CPT Gugel was then selected to teach as a Small Group Leader at the Logistics Captains Career Course before heading to graduate school at San Diego State University (SDSU). Upon graduation with a Masters in History with a concentration in War and Society from SDSU in 2024, CPT Gugel arrived at West Point to teach in the American History Division.