ASVAB Domination Podcast with Gamonal Tutors

In this inspiring episode of the ASVAB Domination Podcast, Mickey sits down with 1LT Sean Lundy of the Minnesota National Guard. Both returned Peace Corps Volunteers, Mickey and Sean dive deep into their eerily parallel journeys—from global service to leading soldiers. They talk about studying for the ASVAB as older, more life-experienced recruits, navigating the National Guard, emotional intelligence in command, and what Peace Corps teaches you that basic training never could. Topics covered: Studying for the ASVAB with a growth mindset Emotional intelligence as a leadership asset The Peace Corps mindset vs. the military structure Transitioning from idealism to service execution Officer-Enlisted relationships built on trust and learning The meaning of life (yes, Viktor Frankl gets a mention) Links: Connect with Sean Lundy: STLundy7@gmail.com | LinkedIn Profile ASVAB prep courses: GamonalTutors.com https://asvabdomination.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/LT-Lundy.mp3

Welcome to the ASVAB Domination Podcast, the show that's all about helping you ace the ASVAB and conquer your military career goals. I'm your host, Mickey, and in this special episode, we've got a lot to cover. First off, some exciting news! We're not only diving into the world of ASVAB today but also sharing some personal updates. I've got a baby on the way, and my family and I are making a big move from the glitz and glamour of Las Vegas to the welcoming community of Merced, California. This journey is about embracing new beginnings and getting closer to our roots, which brings me to my shoutouts – a big thanks to COYAL and the VISIT VEGAS PLACES PODCAST for being part of our Vegas adventure. Now, let's talk about how I teach. My approach to ASVAB coaching is all about compassion and relatability. I believe that understanding and empathy are key in helping you succeed on this crucial test. In this episode, I'll be sharing some insights into my teaching methods, so be sure to tune in. But why ASVAB? Well, it's a game-changer, and I'm not the only one who thinks so. I want to give a shoutout to the Salesforce for Everyone podcast for highlighting the impact of ASVAB on career trajectories. It's low effort with high rewards, especially for high-stakes testing. Prepare, study, and you can open doors to a brighter future. We'll dive deep into this topic and explore why ASVAB is so important. Now, let's circle back to the world of mathematics. I teach math because it's the universal language. Whether you're a computer, an animal, or a human, math is something we all understand. In this episode, I'll explain why I consider it the most important subject. Plus, I'll share some valuable insights on how understanding math can help you plan for major purchases, investments, and taxes. So, get ready for a jam-packed episode, filled with personal updates, teaching insights, and a deep dive into the world of ASVAB and mathematics. Whether you're in the military or just a math enthusiast, this episode has something for everyone. Thanks for joining us on the ASVAB Domination Podcast, and let's get started! #ASVABDomination #MilitarySuccess #ASVABPrep #NewBeginnings #PodcastLife #TeachingWithCompassion #MathMatters #CareerTrajectory #EducationMatters #FamilyFirst #MercedCA #VegasAdventures https://asvabdomination.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/EPISODE-23-PODCAST.mp3

Here we discuss Inner State Transfers (IST) for Army Guard and Reserves on the podcast, here are some key points we cover: 1. **What is IST:** Explain the concept of Inner State Transfers, which allow members of the Army National Guard and Army Reserve to transfer from one state to another while maintaining their military service. 2. **Eligibility and Requirements:** Discuss the eligibility criteria and requirements for IST, including factors like time in service, unit availability, and the specific process for initiating the transfer. 3. **Reasons for IST:** Explore common reasons why individuals consider IST, such as changes in residence, family reasons, career opportunities, or pers onal preferences. 4. **Process and Paperwork:** Walk your audience through the step-by-step process of initiating an IST, including the necessary paperwork, approvals, and timelines involved. 5. **Challenges and Considerations:** Highlight potential challenges or considerations that individuals should be aware of when contemplating an IST, such as differences in unit culture, training schedules, and administrative differences between states. 6. **Benefits of IST:** Discuss the benefits of IST, including the opportunity to continue serving in the National Guard or Reserve while accommodating personal or professional changes in one's life. 7. **Success Stories:** Share success stories of individuals who have gone through the IST process, showcasing how it benefited their military careers and personal lives. 8. **Resources and Support:** Mention the resources and support available to individuals interested in IST, including guidance from unit leadership and official Army websites. 9. **Impact on Education and Career:** Explain how IST can impact a servicemember's education and civilian career, including how it might affect their access to education benefits and employment opportunities. 10. **Tips for a Smooth Transition:** Provide tips and advice for a smooth transition during an IST, such as maintaining open communication with leadership, researching the new unit, and preparing for any administrative changes. Remember to balance both the formal and casual tone based on your audience's needs and whether you're discussing this for grant papers or marketing purposes. This information can be valuable for those considering Inner State Transfers in the Army Guard and Reserves. https://asvabdomination.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/EPISODE-21-PODCAST.mp3

The ASVAB (Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery) is a standardized test used by the United States military to assess the aptitude and potential abilities of individuals seeking to join the armed forces. Here are some key things to know about the ASVAB: Purpose: The primary purpose of the ASVAB is to help military recruiters assess a candidate's suitability for various military occupations (MOS) and to determine which roles they might be best suited for based on their skills and abilities. Test Content: The ASVAB consists of multiple subtests that measure different aspects of cognitive abilities and knowledge. These subtests cover areas such as arithmetic reasoning, mathematics knowledge, verbal expression, paragraph comprehension, general science, mechanical comprehension, and electronics information. Scores: ASVAB scores are reported as standard scores and percentile scores. The standard scores are used by the military to determine eligibility for different military jobs. The percentile scores indicate how an individual's performance compares to other test takers. Composite Scores: The ASVAB also provides composite scores, such as the Armed Forces Qualification Test (AFQT) score. The AFQT score is derived from specific ASVAB subtests and is used to determine an individual's eligibility for enlistment in the military. Branch Requirements: Different branches of the military may have varying minimum score requirements for enlistment and specific job assignments. Some branches and positions may place more emphasis on certain subtests or scores than others. Study Resources: There are various study resources available to help individuals prepare for the ASVAB. These resources may include study guides, practice tests, and online tools provided by official military sources and commercial publishers. Test Administration: The ASVAB is administered at Military Entrance Processing Stations (MEPS) and other authorized testing centers. It can be taken by high school students as part of the ASVAB Career Exploration Program or by individuals seeking to enlist in the military. Importance of Preparation: While the ASVAB is not an IQ test and doesn't measure innate intelligence, preparation can significantly improve performance. Familiarizing yourself with the test format, content, and practicing problem-solving skills can lead to better results. Validity Period: ASVAB scores are generally valid for two years from the date of testing. If you decide to retake the test, the most recent scores will be used for enlistment purposes. Career Guidance: The ASVAB results provide valuable information about career options both within the military and beyond. Even if you don't pursue a military career, the skills and interests identified by the ASVAB can help guide your civilian career choices. Remember, the ASVAB is an important step for individuals considering military service, and understanding its structure, scoring, and implications can help you make informed decisions about your military career path. https://asvabdomination.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/EPISODE-19-PODCAST.mp3 Be good to yourself, treat yourself as a learner. If you're looking to improve your Math Score, check out gamonaltutors.com for the ASVAB Crash Course for the Mathphobic.

https://asvabdomination.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/EPISODE-7-PODCAST.mp3 This Episode talks about about my personal experience with Basic Training at Fort Leonardwood. I've got a fun story about a pair of lost shoes and Drill instructor reactions. I highly recommend volunteering for details so that you don't go too crazy in the barracks all the time. I also talk about the time I got my company smoked (moral of the story, be on your best behavior for your first Sunday). This one was fun to record, so I hope you enjoy the stories! As always remember: Be good to yourself, treat yourself as a learner

https://asvabdomination.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/ASVAB-Domination-002-1.mp3 This Episode is about The reason you need to score your best. Transcript Michael Gamonal: Hey, welcome back to the Podcast, guys. Today, I am talking to everyone about why you want a good score on the ASVAB. I've got about four bullet points here for some really good reasons for why you're going to want to get the best possible score. Most of the people listening probably have already tried to increase their score before, and even if you haven't, there's always a good reason to kind of do your best, right? This can be a little bit more motivation for why it's important to have a really good ASVAB score. Anyway, one of the best reasons is a bonus, right? One of the short-term gratification, one of the fastest ways that you get rewarded for hard work is you get a better bonus. And so, some of those bonuses aren't really dependent on your ASVAB score, like a quick ship bonus, right? Quick ship bonus means you're willing to run off the basic training or go to whatever training your branch has right away. As soon as you swear in, within a few weeks, you're off to go to your training and you're already a soldier. That's one bonus that doesn't necessarily require a better ASVAB score, but what happens is you can get a better MOS. Specific MOS's qualify for different bonuses. I know, sometimes, it can be 88M or MP's, truckers. Different things will give you different bonuses, and so the more you score, the more options you're going to have to get the best possible bonus. And so, that's a really good reason to score high so that you and somebody go into the military at the same time, but you come away with 10 grand and they go away with 5 grand, you're going to feel like you did a lot better, because $5,000 is, of course, a lot of money and you can do a lot with that so those bonuses are great. I know that to be an officer, for me, I needed a 110 GT. That's a General Technical score. And so, when I got that, I was pretty far above it because my math skills are pretty good. Getting that 110 GT is something that I believe a lot of people are capable of. I don't think that it's out of reach for anyone, as long as you put in the effort and try to learn all of the information. If you know how to singing any of three top songs or something like that, you can probably learn all the math that you need for the ASVAB. Most people I know have three favorite songs that they know all the words to, and so the same thing is true for all of the math formulas and stuff like that. Sometimes, it may feel like you can't learn these things, but it's just like anything. You can learn anything that you focus on long enough and that you spend enough time with. So, there's that for the GT scores. I know Army will give out up to 50,000. Navy will give out about 40,000, maybe up to 50,000. Air Force does about 15,000, and Marines do 2,000 to 8,000. So, there's a lot of money to be made out there, a lot of bonuses for a good ASVAB score. The bonus, that's reason number one. Reason number two is the MOS. In the Army, we call them MOS, Military Occupational Specialty. I'm not sure about the other branches, but your MOS is going to be the job you do for the next six years. Some of the more attractive jobs for me would be in health care, right? So 68W, that's a Combat Medic, those guys get a lot of health care training through the military. And even if you're just an E-1 or an E-2, you're not making a ton of money per month, but you're gaining a ton of skills, right? I know 68Ws, they know how to draw blood, they know how to give shots. They know a lot of different things. So, picking a good career is going to vastly change your life. Personally, I've had a lot of different careers in my time, and I know I'm most satisfied and most happy when I'm in alignment with what I want to do. So, if there's something that you want to do,

The Army offers a variety of education and career advancement opportunities to its personnel, including tuition and credentialing assistance programs. These programs aim to provide Army soldiers with the necessary skills and knowledge to advance their careers both during and after their service. One of the most popular education assistance programs offered by the Army is the tuition assistance program (TA). This program provides up to $250 per semester hour and $4,500 per fiscal year to soldiers who want to pursue their educational goals while serving in the Army. This assistance can be used to cover tuition costs for courses taken at accredited colleges and universities, as well as other educational institutions. Soldiers can also use TA to pursue a high school diploma or a General Education Development (GED) certificate. In addition to TA, the Army offers credentialing assistance programs to help soldiers obtain industry-recognized certifications and licenses in fields related to their military occupation. The Army Credentialing Assistance Program (CA) provides up to $4,000 per fiscal year to cover costs associated with earning a credential, including exam fees, study materials, and other related expenses. Soldiers can choose from over 1,600 credentials in a variety of fields, including information technology, healthcare, transportation, and more. One of the main benefits of these programs is that they help soldiers advance their careers while they are still serving in the Army. By earning a degree or a certification, soldiers can increase their qualifications and become more competitive for promotions and career opportunities within the military. Additionally, these programs can help soldiers transition to civilian careers after they leave the Army, as they provide them with the skills and credentials needed to succeed in the civilian workforce. In conclusion, the Army’s tuition and credentialing assistance programs offer valuable opportunities for soldiers to advance their education and careers. These programs provide financial assistance and support to help soldiers pursue their educational and professional goals, both during and after their service. By taking advantage of these programs, soldiers can increase their skills, knowledge, and qualifications, and achieve greater success in their military and civilian careers. https://asvabdomination.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/ASVAB-Domination-Credentialing-Assistance-V2.mp3

https://asvabdomination.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/EPISODE-15-PODCAST.mp3 "Everyone leans one way Geometry or Algebra." I've heard this many times and I've also said it in the past. While I think I'm more advanced now I would say numbers vs shapes. People are still likely to have a preference one way or another, but more likely than not, it depends more on how you learned these topics than any innate predisposition for them. Some topics that I love to teach in Algebra: Mean Median Mode Slope Intersept Fom Some topics that I love to teach in Geometry: Area of a triangle, rectangle, cube. Angles supplementary, complimentary, obtuse, acute, right Personally I think that I had a phenomenal geometry teacher (spherical geometry, fourth dimension geometry) And some epic calculus teachers (calc 1, 2, and 3) plus a good batch of stats teachers. End of the day all these subjects are related, getting better at algebra will help your geometry and vice versa, so try not to avoid topics any more, but look for the patterns in how they relate to one another. As Always, Be good to yourself, treat yourself as a learner. If you're looking to improve your Math Score, check out gamonaltutors.com for the ASVAB Crash Course for the Mathphobic.

https://asvabdomination.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/EPISODE-13-PODCAST.mp3 This podcast is near and dear to my heart. Even in hosting this podcast my consistency has fallen apart a few different times, however those failures to be consistent but returning to the goal helps to remind me that it's never too late. Honestly, many things in my life that I've tried to get good at (weight loss, running, guitar, tagalog, etc.) I'll make a lot of good progress for a week or two, but eventually my old habits will come back for me and I'll lose sight of my goals. I would argue that this is a mandatory event in the process of making lasting change in your life. The trap we all fall into - berating ourselves (treat yourself as a friend) Tomorrow I will do some things perfect, and I'll do somethings terribly, but that's part of the journey that we're all on As Always, Be good to yourself, treat yourself as a learner. If you're looking to improve your Math Score, check out gamonaltutors.com for the ASVAB Crash Course for the Mathphobic.

https://asvabdomination.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/EPISODE-11-PODCAST.mp3 Happy 4th of July everyone! I hope everyone has a safe and pleasant 4th of July. In this episode I ask all listeners to think of things they've accomplished in their lives. Remember that your life is a unique journey that nobody but you has been on. In honor of this holiday celebrate your personal independence and how you've accomplished things (even if not on your own, you still did your part). I think Individuals who are on a team can underappreciate themselves because they feel like the team may have "carried" carried them. But, here it's important to remember that even great teams are made of individuals. The Army is a great team, but it relies on EVERY SOLDIER to do what they can to make the Team a better team. This Episode has a quick little Word Knowledge lesson about the word Independent, I hope you enjoy it! Anyway, have a happy Independence day! As Always, Be good to yourself, treat yourself as a learner. If you're looking to improve your Math Score, check out gamonaltutors.com for the ASVAB Crash Course for the Mathphobic.

https://asvabdomination.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/EPISODE-8-PODCAST.mp3 There is a TON of misinformation out there. In this episode I cover the three myths about the ASVAB The ASVAB is easier based on which computer you use. If I fail too many times I won't be able to take the test anymore I'll study later Number three is really important to me. When I left for Peace Corps (a 2 year commitment) I was going to be achieving my life long goal. Everything in my life had led me to joining the Peace Corps and doing some good in a foreign nation for 2 years. As I headed out of country for a couple of years I used that time to ask the people around me a few questions. I knew that some things in the world would change over the next two years, and some would not. So when I returned I was surprised by how many things stayed the exact same. People still complained about the same struggles, people felt stuck. The truth was (and is) things rarely change unless you put a TON of effort into changing them yourself. So put in the work, and get after it! As Always, Be good to yourself, treat yourself as a learner. If you're looking to improve your Math Score, check out gamonaltutors.com for the ASVAB Crash Course for the Mathphobic. Use Coupon Code "GAMONAL" for $53 off.

https://asvabdomination.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/EPISODE-5-PODCAST.mp3 Math Knowledge is usually where students struggle most. Remember if you don't have a ton of confidence in your math skills it's important to remember you're alone. Many many people struggle with math, you aren't the first person to try to learn to get better, you won't be the last. So be patient with yourself. Math was made to make sense, so you'll want to take your time and focus on understanding the concept more than memorizing math facts. The MK section is 15 questions and lasts 23 minutes. The three things you shouldn't do: Don’t learn it all at once Don’t feel overwhelmed Don’t study the hard stuff till you’re confident in the easy stuff The three things you should do: Start small, nurture that confidence Work for comprehension not memorization Small steps make big progress Don't forget to review Be good to yourself, treat yourself as a learner. If you're looking to improve your Math Score, check out gamonaltutors.com for the ASVAB Crash Course for the Mathphobic. Use Coupon Code "GAMONAL" for $53 off.

https://asvabdomination.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/EPISODE-1-PODCAST.mp3 If you're considering Joining the military late, this episode is made for you. Joining "late" is different for different people, some folks join the military at their mid 30's while others think joining the military is just for 18 year olds. Whatever your bias is about age the real question is an individual one. If you want to join the military later in life the only person who can stand in your way is you. Don't let your age be the deciding factor of whether or not you chase your goals. Go out and get what you want! Personally I joined the Army late in life and I'm happy I did! As Always, Be good to yourself, treat yourself as a learner. If you're looking to improve your Math Score, check out gamonaltutors.com for the ASVAB Crash Course for the Mathphobic. This episode discusses joining the Military later in life. If you're 30 plus and anxious about joining the military (or passing the ASVAB) this episode is for you! Transcription follows: Mickey Gamonal: What's up, everybody. My name is Mickey Gamonal. And this is ASVAB Domination Pro. Today, I'm talking to you guys about joining the military at an older age. So I get this question a lot. A lot of people are trying to join the military at later points in life. And for me, this is very near and dear to my heart. I joined the military at just about 30. And so I was a little bit on the older side. Some folks in my barracks were closer to 35 or even later. So if you're a little bit on the older side and you're still considering joining the military, I want to tell you, that's going to be okay. The military is still totally fine if you join in your late 20s or mid-30s and even in some cases in your late 30s. My personal story goes a little something like this. I joined because I was about to turn 30. So you could consider this kind of like a quarter-life crisis. I knew that it was an either now or never moment. So I knew that I was going to keep getting older. I had just recovered from an ACL surgery, meaning that my knee was all broken up. And luckily, I had insurance. So I was able to get the knee replaced. My ACL got a donor in there and recovered and everything like that. And so once the surgery was done, I still had to do like a ton of paperwork. I had to get like this huge stack of papers for my recruiter and I had to come up with 10 years of work history. For someone like me, it's kind of hard when I spent two years in Morocco doing Peace Corps, and a lot of time, just kind of bouncing around from job to job. Also, one of the big things was the student loan repayment program. That was one of the reasons that I joined the military is because I had a lot of student loans out on myself. So I ended up joining the military right around 29 to 30 and I'm happy I did. But it's not super easy to do. It's something that you have to be pretty serious about doing. You have to follow up with your recruiter and make sure that all your paperwork's done. And then, redo all your paperwork a couple of times and there are a lot of hoops to jump through. But if you're patient with it, and you're serious about it, it's something that can change your life. And I'm happy that I went through basic training. I'm really happy that I went through officer candidate school, and I think it's made me a better person spending time doing hard things. It just makes me a little bit more stable. So even at 30, 35, or more, there are still things that you can learn from military service. But there are some difficult things as well. One of those is the recruitment process. There's just so much history that you have and recruiters kind of struggle with working with older folks. I don't think recruiters would actively say this but a lot of times you get the feeling that a recruiter would rather work with an eighteen-year-old because they don't have any history. They're really easy to do the paperwork for.