ASVAB Domination Podcast with Gamonal Tutors

Mickey Gamonal
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The ASVAB Domination podcast is designed for anyone desiring motivation, direction, and focus in reaching their ASVAB goals. Host Mickey Gamonal has helped dozens of students raise their GT and ST scores to get better jobs, bonuses, and contracts across all branches of the military. In this podcast, Mickey blends classical teaching with real world military experience to deliver explanations on making the most of your military career. If you’re ready to take your scores to the next level, or you just need extra inspiration or motivation, tune in to The ASVAB Domination Podcast. Follow Mickey on Instagram @mickey.gamonal https://www.instagram.com/mickey.gamonal/

  1. 3d ago

    🎙 Episode 58 – Leveraging AI for Test Prep & Free Military Certifications: Jai Salters

    In this episode of the ASVAB Domination Podcast, Mickey Gamonal sits down once again with Jai Salters, founder of Act Now Education, Navy veteran, and active-duty service member approaching retirement. Returning for a second conversation, Jai shares his updated insights on leveraging modern tools—specifically artificial intelligence—to revolutionize ASVAB and test preparation. He breaks down how AI can act as a personalized tutor by generating practice questions, analyzing weak areas, and building customized study schedules. Beyond test prep, Jai highlights Act Now Education’s mission to support active duty members, veterans, and military spouses with free professional certifications, including PMP, Security+, SHRM, Splunk, and Google AI programs. Jai also opens up about his own Navy career, his personal horror story with test prep, and the humorous recruitment experience that almost led him down a very different military path before finding his calling in the Navy. What you’ll learn: How to use AI (like ChatGPT and Claude) to create personalized ASVAB study plans and practice questions How Act Now Education provides 100% free certifications (PMP, Security+, SHRM, Splunk, Google Gen AI) for the military community Strategies for overcoming test anxiety and recovering from a failed test attempt The importance of targeting specific ASVAB subtests to match specific service branch line scores How military spouses can access fellowship opportunities and 90-day paid work programs Navigating the transition from military service to civilian careers while maintaining purpose and momentum The realistic trade-offs between location, salary, benefits, and job fulfillment when entering the civilian workforce Key moments: 0:26 – Re-introducing Jai Salters and the mission of Act Now Education 1:57 – The AI Unlock: Using AI to personalize test prep, schedule study sessions, and diagnose weak areas 4:14 – Line scores vs. overall score: Dialing in on job-specific test requirements 5:44 – The hardest test in the Navy: Earning submarine dolphins under intense pressure 8:34 – Inside Act Now Education: PMP cohorts, military spouse summits, and free tech certifications 14:32 – Test-taking horror stories: What Jai learned from failing his first PMP attempt 18:52 – Balancing location, salary, benefits, and purpose during military transition 24:30 – Reflecting on an 18+ year Navy career and preparing for the final lap before retirement 28:54 – Flashback: Finishing the ASVAB in 30 minutes, scoring a 24, and almost joining the Marines Final message from Jai: You are only a few intentional decisions away from unlocking your next chapter. Don't let a test score or a single setback dictate your potential. Take advantage of the free resources, lean on your community, focus on the areas you need to strengthen, and build a plan that aligns with your real goals. Put in the work. Leverage every resource. Own your transition. About Act Now Education Act Now Education is a 100% volunteer-led non-profit organization dedicated to providing active-duty service members, veterans, and military spouses with free educational resources, professional certifications, career guidance, and networking opportunities. Learn more at ActNowEducation.org or join their weekly rundown calls every Saturday at 1:00 PM EST. About ASVAB Domination ASVAB Domination helps future and current service members improve their ASVAB and AFCT scores, strengthen their academic foundations, and create more opportunities throughout their military careers. Don’t let one test score determine the ceiling of your military career.

  2. Oct 22

    🎙 Episode 57 – From ASVAB Retake to Mindset & Health Coaching: Scaed Saxton on Forging Purpose

    🎙 Episode 57 – From ASVAB Retake to Mindset & Health Coaching: Scaed Saxton on Forging Purpose In this episode of the ASVAB Domination Podcast, Mickey Gamonal sits down with Scaed Saxton, founder of Forge and Ascent, Utah National Guard NCO, and admissions advisor with Unlocking Human Potential (UHP). Scaed’s journey in the military began with taking the ASVAB as a high school senior—a test that brought out his struggles with test anxiety and math blockages. Starting as a Chaplain Assistant (now Religious Affairs Specialist) in the Army Reserve, Scaed later set his sights on Special Forces. To qualify for Special Forces Selection, he needed a higher GT score. While deployed overseas, Scaed changed his approach to test-taking, shifted from memorization to problem-solving, and raised his score from a 51 to a 76 overall, with his GT score jumping from 105 to 117. In this conversation, Mickey and Scaed break down how to overcome test anxiety, why writing problems down on scrap paper changes your perspective, how to maintain physical and mental discipline through life transitions, and why genuine holistic health—covering fitness, nutrition, sleep, stress, and spirituality—is the key to personal freedom. What you’ll learn: How Scaed went from scoring a 51 in high school to earning a 117 GT score while deployed Why shifting from memorization to a problem-solving mindset transformed his math performance How drawing pictures and writing out work step-by-step overcomes test anxiety and math blockages Why taking notes on paper acts like a "third-person view" to help you solve tough questions How Scaed navigated military service in Civil Affairs, 19th Special Forces Group, and the Chaplain Corps The founding story of Forge and Ascent and its holistic approach to fitness, sleep, nutrition, and mindset How setting ambitious goals creates lasting discipline—even when plans change How health and physical fitness directly connect to personal freedom and resilience Why pushing yourself and taking full advantage of military opportunities serves you for life Key moments: 0:00 – "You are not free and you are subject to life": Mindset and test-taking mindset shifts 1:29 – Starting in the Army Reserve in Civil Affairs and transitioning to 19th Special Forces Group 2:01 – Taking the ASVAB in high school, dealing with test anxiety, and scoring a 51 3:15 – Choosing Religious Affairs and finding purpose in serving Soldiers 4:59 – Setting a goal for Special Forces and needing to raise GT score from 105 to 110+ 6:05 – Shifting from memorizing formulas to problem-solving on the ASVAB 7:42 – Overcoming triple-digit multiplication by drawing visuals and taking scratch notes 10:18 – Writing thoughts on paper to step away from the "echo chamber" of your brain 11:14 – Founding Forge and Ascent: holistic health, nutrition, sleep, and stress management 16:00 – Overcoming personal challenges during deployment and using fitness as an anchor 19:05 – The importance of surrounding yourself with people who keep you sharp 20:27 – Testing at the Special Forces Readiness Evaluation (SFRE) and learning from hard goals 23:42 – Why physical health and fitness are essential to living a free, intentional life 25:02 – Final advice: Go all in, do your best on the ASVAB, and make your service count About Forge and Ascent Founded by Scaed Saxton, Forge and Ascent is an online holistic health and mindset coaching company. By focusing on fitness, nutrition, sleep hygiene, stress management, and purpose, Forge and Ascent equips clients with the tools to build sustainable habits and achieve long-term personal freedom. This episode is for you if: You’re struggling to raise your GT score for specialized military schools or reclassification. You experience test anxiety and need practical ways to simplify math and problem-solving. You want to build mental discipline, stay consistent,

  3. Oct 13

    🎙 Episode 56 – The ASVAB Tutor: Julie Hyers on Math Hacks, Special Ed, & Score Comebacks

    🎙 Episode 56 – The ASVAB Tutor: Julie Hyers on Math Hacks, Special Ed, & Score Comebacks In this episode of the ASVAB Domination Podcast, Mickey Gamonal sits down with Julie Hyers, known across the country as The ASVAB Tutor. A former reading specialist, resource room teacher, and certified secondary math educator based out of New York, Julie brings over 16 years of specialized tutoring experience helping future service members transform their ASVAB and AFCT scores. Julie’s transition into ASVAB prep started with an unexpected phone call from a former Marine trying to re-enter service. Since that day, she has helped countless candidates overcome math blockages, master vocabulary, and qualify for their dream military careers. Mickey and Julie break down the exact strategies that help students make massive score leaps, the most common pitfalls test-takers fall into, how to diagnose weaknesses from an ASVAB score report, and why creative teaching methods—including her viral study partner, Mr. Cuddles the cat—can make complex concepts finally click. What you’ll learn: How a phone call from a former Marine shifted Julie’s career from college math tutoring to ASVAB prep Why publishing organized workbooks and study guides helps students structure their preparation The biggest mistakes candidates make when studying for the AFQT (and why putting all your eggs in the vocab basket fails) How to analyze your ASVAB score report to pinpoint whether your issue is math skills, English, or reading comprehension Why low Arithmetic Reasoning (AR) paired with low Paragraph Comprehension (PC) signals a processing/comprehension challenge rather than a pure math issue The importance of timing, speed, and practicing under pressure for test day success How Julie’s background in special education and reading pedagogy allows her to adapt instruction for every learning style How custom bilingual (Spanish-English) and French-English vocabulary resources support non-native English speakers Why improving your ASVAB score creates life-changing opportunities and long-term momentum in your military career Key moments: 0:01 – Welcome & Julie’s background in special education and secondary math 1:17 – The fateful phone call from Hawaii that launched her ASVAB tutoring career 2:55 – Transitioning from local book printing to publishing workbooks on Amazon during COVID 5:14 – The biggest study mistakes: neglecting math or putting all eggs in the vocabulary basket 5:58 – Diagnosing score reports: proving to students where their true weaknesses lie 7:24 – Creating specialized bilingual and French-English study resources for ELL candidates 8:42 – Identifying specific math blockages (long division, fractions, metrics vs. imperial units) 10:02 – Why effort and review outside of class separate big score jumpers from those who struggle 12:01 – Creative teaching methods, meeting students where they learn, and introducing Mr. Cuddles 15:41 – The 7-year failure comeback: helping a candidate raise his score by 20 points in just 3 days 19:12 – Bypassing Common Core rules to teach the fastest, simplest math solution methods 22:02 – Decoding the score report: distinguishing between math weaknesses and comprehension blockages 24:07 – Timed pressure practice: training for speed just like physical fitness 28:51 – Contextual vocabulary hacks: using fun character scenarios to lock in word meanings 32:47 – Live demonstration: how engaging visual and auditory cues build long-term memory retention About The ASVAB Tutor The ASVAB Tutor offers group classes, one-on-one tutoring, video courses, and specialized workbooks designed by Julie Hyers—a master educator with degrees in elementary education, special education, reading, and secondary math. Her mission is to simplify complex test topics and maximize candidate scores. This episode is for you if: You’re preparing for the ASVAB or AFCT and feeling stuck on math or word...

  4. Oct 4

    🎙 Episode 55 – Founder of Team RWB: Mike Irwin on Leadership & Positive Psychology

    🎙 Episode 55 – Founder of Team RWB: Mike Irwin on Leadership & Positive Psychology In this episode of the ASVAB Domination Podcast, Mickey Gamonal sits down with Mike Irwin, founder of Team Red, White & Blue (Team RWB), West Point graduate, former Special Forces intelligence officer, and author of Lead Yourself First and Leadership is a Relationship. Mike’s military journey took him from West Point into Military Intelligence, serving as an intelligence officer in 3rd Special Forces Group in Afghanistan before attending grad school at the University of Michigan to study positive psychology and leadership. While in grad school, observing the transition struggles of fellow service members inspired him to launch Team RWB—a nationwide nonprofit dedicated to enriching veterans’ lives through fitness, community, and human connection. But this conversation goes far beyond test scores or choosing a branch. Mickey and Mike talk about what it takes to build a fulfilling life after uniform, why “other people matter,” maintaining personal discipline outside the military, navigating big life transitions, and how the predictive analysis skills learned in Military Intelligence apply to real-world leadership and decision-making. Mike also shares his perspective on finding a deeper sense of purpose through family, faith, and service, giving you an endless reservoir of motivation as you face life's challenges. Today, through Team RWB, he continues serving the military and veteran community by helping veterans build healthier lives through fitness, community, leadership, and genuine human connection.What you’ll learn:How Mike went from West Point and Military Intelligence to founding Team RWB The origins of Team RWB and how fitness and camaraderie help veterans in transition Why positive psychology boils down to three words: "Other people matter" How service members can navigate the massive identity shift when leaving active duty Why relationships and belonging impact long-term happiness more than status or income How Military Intelligence trains you in predictive analysis for real-world leadership Lessons from Mike’s books Lead Yourself First and Leadership is a Relationship How Unlocking Human Potential (UHP) is helping veterans gain skilled trade certifications in-person Why finding a deeper "why"—through family, faith, and service—provides an endless reservoir of energyKey moments: 0:00 - "Other people matter" & the struggle of personal discipline after military service 1:04 - How serving in 3rd Special Forces Group led to studying positive psychology at Michigan 2:45 - Observing transitioning veterans and launching Team Red, White & Blue 4:42 - The difference between in-uniform and out-of-uniform mindsets 6:35 - The core takeaway of positive psychology: Other people matter 9:23 - Individual pursuit vs. communal success in life and athletics 11:44 - Applying academic lessons in real time to build Team RWB 14:03 - Why trajectory-changing tests like the ASVAB matter for real-life application 16:57 - Writing Leadership is a Relationship and prioritizing human connection in a digital age 22:45 - Finding motivation through family, homesteading, faith, and a deeper sense of purpose 29:48 - Mike’s ASVAB experience at West Point and branching Military Intelligence 31:51 - Why Military Intelligence builds powerful predictive analysis and strategic thinking skills 35:32 - Visiting UHP (Unlocking Human Potential) and the surge in veteran trade trainingAbout Team RWBTeam Red, White & Blue is a nonprofit organization dedicated to enriching veterans’ lives through fitness, community, and human connection. What began in 2010 has grown into a nationwide veteran community, giving veterans and supporters opportunities to run, train, volunteer, lead, and build relationships together. Whether you’re preparing to join the military, currently serving, transitioning out, or have been a veteran for years,

  5. Sep 26

    🎙 Episode 54 –Drill Sergeant to ASVAB Tutor: SFC Marcus T. Bentley

    🎙 Episode 54 –Drill Sergeant to ASVAB Tutor: SFC Marcus T. Bentley   In this episode of the ASVAB Domination Podcast, Mickey Gamonal sits down with Marcus T. Bentley, active-duty Army instructor, former drill sergeant in the Future Soldier Prep Course, and popular TikTok ASVAB tutor. Marcus’s journey with the ASVAB began after leaving his job as an Applebee’s kitchen manager to join the military. After scoring a 90 through practical problem-solving and elimination strategies, he went on to serve as a drill sergeant for the 09M Future Soldier Prep Course at Fort Jackson. What started as drill instruction quickly turned into classroom coaching as Marcus realized his direct, relatable teaching style helped recruits grasp math and testing concepts far better than traditional academic approaches. This conversation cuts right through the fluff of test prep. Mickey and Marcus break down why so many students struggle with the ASVAB, the trap of hoarding study guides, and why mastering the foundational basics—like multiplication tables, fractions, and percentages—is the fastest way to raise your score. Marcus shares his no-nonsense philosophy on execution, handling class disruptions, and taking control of your military career before you even enlist. Today, Marcus continues to instruct active-duty NCOs at Fort Jackson while providing daily live tutoring sessions, study booklets, and courses to help future service members unlock higher-scoring career fields. What you’ll learn: How Marcus transitioned from managing an Applebee's kitchen to scoring a 90 on the ASVAB His experience as a drill sergeant in the Future Soldier Prep Course (09M) at Fort Jackson Why direct, practical coaching often works better for recruits than traditional teaching methods The common trap of collecting multiple study guides instead of fixing core weaknesses Why focusing on foundational math—multiplication, fractions, and percentages—delivers the biggest score increases Why mindset and practical test-taking strategies outweigh memorizing complex math proofs How to eliminate distracting environments and build consistent study habits on the weekend Why your ASVAB score determines your career choices and overall military satisfaction Lessons on accountability, servant leadership, and staying true to your purpose from an active-duty NCO Key moments: 0:43 – From drill sergeant to classroom coach in the Future Soldier Prep Course 2:12 – The origin of Marcus’s independent tutoring and course creation 4:11 – Scoring a 90 on the ASVAB: From Applebee’s kitchen manager to Army enlistee 6:53 – Practical execution vs. academic theory in math instruction 12:04 – "Study what you suck at": Overcoming the study guide hoarding trap 18:07 – Turning a score around: How mastering basic multiplication changed a recruit's trajectory 24:40 – Drill sergeant discipline: How classroom environment impacts learning retention 36:08 – Going live on TikTok and building daily touchpoints for students 40:41 – Integrity over profit: Turning down easy money to keep students focused 49:48 – Maximizing the weekend: How consistency creates a competitive edge Final message from Marcus: Stop running from the hard part. The dream didn't suck; the plan sucked. Focus on the foundational blocks, target the exact areas you struggle with the most, and use your time wisely to raise your standard. Put in the work. Fix the foundation. Change the plan. About Marcus T. Bentley Marcus T. Bentley is an active-duty Army Sergeant First Class, instructor, and ASVAB coach dedicated to helping recruits improve their scores through practical, no-nonsense test preparation. Connect with him and find his study materials on TikTok @MarcusTBentley. About ASVAB Domination ASVAB Domination helps future and current service members improve their ASVAB and AFCT scores, strengthen their academic foundations, and create more opportunities throughout their military careers.

  6. Sep 17

    🎙 Episode 53 – Green Beret Team RWB: COL (Ret.) Michael “Sully” Sullivan

    🎙 Episode 53 - Green Beret Team RWB: COL (Ret.) Michael “Sully” Sullivan In this episode of the ASVAB Domination Podcast, Mickey Gamonal sits down with Michael “Sully” Sullivan, retired Army Colonel, former Green Beret, and leader with Team Red, White & Blue (Team RWB). Sully’s military journey began long before Special Forces. He took the ASVAB as a high school student, went through ROTC at Claremont McKenna College, commissioned as an Army officer, and eventually built a career that included service as a Green Beret and Special Forces officer before retiring as a Colonel. But this conversation goes far beyond test scores or choosing an MOS. Mickey and Sully talk about what it takes to build a meaningful military career, competing on the Army’s Order of Merit List, pursuing opportunities without becoming consumed by promotions, and learning to focus on doing your current job exceptionally well. Sully also shares his perspective on one of the biggest challenges service members eventually face: figuring out who you are when the uniform comes off. Today, through Team RWB, he continues serving the military and veteran community by helping veterans build healthier lives through fitness, community, leadership, and genuine human connection. What you’ll learn: How Sully went from taking the ASVAB in high school to becoming an Army officer His path through ROTC and into a successful Army career What ultimately led him toward Special Forces and becoming a Green Beret How young Soldiers and officers should think about promotions and the Army’s Order of Merit List Why doing your current job well matters more than constantly chasing the next rank Lessons Sully learned from decades of Army leadership Why military transition can create an identity gap for veterans How fitness can become a powerful tool for connection and community How Team RWB helps veterans build meaningful relationships after military service Why your military career should create opportunities rather than become the limit of your identity How service, leadership, and purpose can continue long after leaving the Army Key moments: 3:15 - Taking the ASVAB in high school & ROTC at Claremont McKenna 8:42 - The path into Special Forces & becoming a Green Beret 16:20 - Navigating promotions & the Order of Merit List without losing your focus 24:05 - Why excelling in your current role matters more than chasing rank 31:10 - Lessons learned from decades of Special Forces and Army leadership 38:45 - The military transition: facing the identity gap when the uniform comes off 45:12 - How Team RWB builds community and connection through fitness Final message from Sully: Your ASVAB score can help open the first door, but what you do after walking through it is up to you. Build relationships. Take care of people. Challenge yourself. Stay physically and mentally engaged. And when one chapter ends, find another reason to keep moving forward. Put in the work. Create more options for yourself. Bet on yourself. About Team RWB Team Red, White & Blue is a nonprofit organization dedicated to enriching veterans’ lives through fitness, community, and human connection. Learn more and find a local chapter at TeamRWB.org. About ASVAB Domination ASVAB Domination helps future and current service members improve their ASVAB and AFCT scores, strengthen their academic foundations, and create more opportunities throughout their military careers. Don’t let one test score determine the ceiling of your military career.

  7. Aug 27

    🎙Episode 52 – From MP to a 114 GT Score: Noah’s ASVAB Comeback

    🎙Episode 52 - From MP to a 114 GT Score: Noah’s ASVAB Comeback In this episode, Mickey Gamonal sits down with Noah Fuller, an Army National Guard Soldier who decided his original ASVAB score wasn’t going to limit his future opportunities. After joining as an MP and later pursuing CBRN, Noah learned that improving his scores could open more doors in his Army career. After taking the ASVAB multiple times in the past without getting the results he wanted, he changed his approach: study with purpose, get help, attend BSEP, and put in the work outside of class. That work paid off. Noah earned a 114 GT score and raised his overall score from the 30s to a 71. Noah and Mickey break down his experience with the Basic Skills Education Program (BSEP), tutoring, test anxiety, and what finally made the difference after years of knowing he was capable of a better score. What you’ll learn: How BSEP works for currently serving Soldiers The difference between the ASVAB and AFCT Why Noah decided to improve his score after already joining the Army How understanding why you got a question right can be more important than simply getting it right Why practice tests helped Noah overcome test anxiety How Noah studied before and during his two-week BSEP course Why investing in tutoring helped him focus on his specific weaknesses What Noah experienced on test day while battling serious nerves How he went from questioning his abilities to earning a 114 GT Why improving your ASVAB scores can create more options throughout your military career Key moments: 3:20 - Noah learns about BSEP and the AFCT 4:23 - How Soldiers can get into BSEP 6:30 - Getting a question right vs. understanding why you’re right 11:51 - Why Noah recommends BSEP 15:07 - Refusing to become complacent in his military career 15:54 - Finding the ASVAB Domination Podcast 16:41 - Deciding to invest in tutoring 25:13 - Noah’s test-day story 31:25 - Walking into the test shaking from nerves 31:54 - The first question changes everything 34:14 - Finding out his score 34:39 - 114 GT 41:33 - Noah’s biggest strategy for improving 43:53 - What he would do differently 45:20 - His advice for Soldiers considering tutoring 49:09 - From an overall score in the 30s to a 71 50:42 - Why improving your score opens more doors Final message from Noah: You don’t have to let an old ASVAB score decide what you can do with the rest of your military career. Put in the work. Ask questions. Get help when you need it. Create more options for yourself. Take the chance. Bet on yourself. PODCAST WITH NOAH FOR SPOTIFY

  8. Mar 27

    🎙Episode 51- ASVAB Last-Minute Prep: What to Do on Test Day

    In this episode, Mickey Gamonal shares practical ASVAB test-day strategies to help students perform at their best without panicking, overthinking, or getting stuck. Instead of trying to learn everything at the last minute, Mickey explains how to stay calm, stay strategic, and focus on collecting points throughout the exam. He breaks down 3 core rules for success on test day: Don’t get stuck on hard questions Play the test strategically Protect your confidence from start to finish Mickey also walks through section-specific advice for Math, Word Knowledge, and Paragraph Comprehension, including how to estimate, eliminate wrong answers, use root words, and read passages more efficiently. This episode is especially helpful for students taking the ASVAB soon and for recruiters or mentors who want to give test-takers strong last-minute guidance. What you’ll learn: Why staying calm beats last-minute cramming How to avoid wasting time on difficult questions Why math and English matter so much for AFQT performance Test-day math strategies like back-solving and estimation How to approach Word Knowledge more strategically Why Paragraph Comprehension starts with reading the question first How to reset mentally during the test and keep moving forward Final message from Mickey: You do not need to be perfect. You need to be strategic, steady, and confident enough to keep collecting points. Play this podcast on your way to test(1)

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About

The ASVAB Domination podcast is designed for anyone desiring motivation, direction, and focus in reaching their ASVAB goals. Host Mickey Gamonal has helped dozens of students raise their GT and ST scores to get better jobs, bonuses, and contracts across all branches of the military. In this podcast, Mickey blends classical teaching with real world military experience to deliver explanations on making the most of your military career. If you’re ready to take your scores to the next level, or you just need extra inspiration or motivation, tune in to The ASVAB Domination Podcast. Follow Mickey on Instagram @mickey.gamonal https://www.instagram.com/mickey.gamonal/

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