Restricted 18+ in CA in compliance with CA State Assembly Bill 2571 prohibiting the marketing of firearms to minors in the State of CA.

Skip to content

Civilian Marksmanship Program

  • Home
  • About
  • Donate
  • Sponsorship
  • Contact
  • Search
  • Calendar
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • Youtube
  • MeWe
  • Auction
  • Competition Tracker
  • E-Store
  • Forum
  • Join Our Email List
  • Live Targets
  • Photos
  • Home
    Skip This Navigation Section
    • NM SUPPORT TEAM – NEW MEMBER FORM
    • RETURNING NM SUPPORT TEAM FORM
    • Privacy Policy
    End of Navigation Section
  • About
    Skip This Navigation Section
    • Director Emeritus
    • Director of Civilian Marksmanship
    • Board of Directors
    • Programs Chief
    End of Navigation Section
  • Donate
  • Sponsorship
  • Contact
  • Search
  • Youth
    Skip This Navigation Section
    • Air Gun Matches
    • College Resources
    • Aces Postal
    • American Legion Junior 3PAR Tournament
    • JROTC 3PAR Matches
      • National JROTC Air Rifle Championship History
    • Junior Rifle Camps and Clinics
      • Junior Air Rifle Camp Counselors
      • Application to Host a CMP Summer Camp
      • Junior Rifle Camp Counselor Resources
    • Junior Distinguished Badge
    • Postal and Regional 3PAR CMP Matches
      • CMP 3PAR Regional Championships
      • CMP 3PAR State Championships
    • CMP National 3PAR Championship
      • State 3PAR Junior Olympic Championships
      • CMP National 3PAR Championship History
    • National Trophy Junior Team Match
    • 3PAR Shooting information
      • 3PAR FAQs
      • Sanctioning 3PAR Matches
      • National 3PAR Council
      • 3PAR Forms
      • 3PAR National Records
      • National Standard 3PAR Rules
    • CMP Scholarship Program
    • CMP-USMC Highpower Rifle Clinic
    End of Navigation Section
  • Clubs
    Skip This Navigation Section
    • Club-Related Forms
    • CMP Affiliate Rifle Purchase Program
    • Club News
    • Become Affiliated with CMP
      • CMP Affiliation Application Form
      • Benefits of Club Affiliation
    • CMP MOU's
    • CMP-Affiliated State Associations
      • M1 Garand Fund Development Program
    • Club-Sanctioned Clinics and Matches
    • Find a CMP-Affiliated Club Near You
    • Form a CMP Marksmanship Club
    End of Navigation Section
  • Compete
    Skip This Navigation Section
    • ACES POSTAL COMPETITION
    • CMP National Records
    • CMP Smallbore Program
      • CMP Smallbore Postal Program
    • CMP Air Rifle and Air Pistol Program
    • CMP League Matches
    • Get Started
    • Matches
      • Air Gun Matches
      • CMP Match Award Donors
      • Talladega Matches
      • Camp Perry Matches
      • Military Matches
      • Rimfire Sporter Rifle Matches
      • All Upcoming Matches
    • Register for a CT Number
    • Distinguished Badge Program
      • Distinguished Marksman Badge
    • Competition Rulebooks
    • Forms
    • CMP Pistol Program
      • CMP Bianchi Cup
    • CMP Live Target Images
    • CMP Travel Games
    • Marksmanship Forums
    • Junior Highpower Support Program
    • CMP Rifle Program
    End of Navigation Section
  • National Matches
    Skip This Navigation Section
    • CMP Industry Day
    • National Smallbore Matches
    • National Air Gun Matches
    • National Matches Junior Camp
    • National Matches Support Team
    • Long Range Matches
    • National Trophy Pistol Matches
    • Awards & Trophies
      • Vintage Sniper Match
      • CMP Game Events Awards
      • Long Range Awards
      • Individual Pistol Awards
      • National Trophies
      • National Trophy Individual and Aggregate Rifle Awards
      • National Trophy Team Rifle Awards
      • National Trophy Infantry Team Rifle Awards
      • Team and Special Aggregate Pistol Awards
    • National Matches First Shot Ceremony speakers
    • National Matches Air Gun Events
    • National Matches Welcome Center Information
    • National Rimfire Sporter Rifle Match
    • National Matches Spectator Events
    • National Matches Camps, Clinics, and Schools
    • National Trophy Rifle Matches
    • Directions to Camp Perry
    • Area Lodging Info
    • CMP National Championship Matches
    • National CMP Games Events
    • National Matches Archive project
    • Commercial Row Information
    End of Navigation Section
  • Education
    Skip This Navigation Section
    • Basic Archery Course
    • Advanced Maintenance Class
    • Basic Pistol Course
    • Advanced Highpower Clinic
    • GSMM Master Instructor Training and Certification
      • GSM Master Instructor Resources
    • Armorer's Corner
    • Clinics
    • NM COLLECTOR SOFTWARE - CMP EDITION
    • Other Resources
    • Range Officer Training Course
      • Range Officer Training Course: Level II Rifle
      • Range Officer Training Course: Level II Pistol
    • Shooting Tips from the USAMU Service Rifle Team
      • USAMU FAQs: Equipment and Ammunition
      • USAMU FAQs: Shooting Positions
      • USAMU FAQs: Shooting Techniques and Tactics
    • Information on CMP Target Systems
    • Basic Rifle Class
    • Introduction to Shotgun Class
    • JROTC Marksmanship Instructor Course
      • JMIC- Master Instructor Resources
    • State Directors
      • CMP State Director News Submission Form
      • CMP State Director Application
    • Small Arms Firing Schools at the National Matches
    • Rifle and Pistol Training
    • Coaching Resources
      • Air Rifle Target Stand Plans
    End of Navigation Section
  • News & Media
    Skip This Navigation Section
    • National Matches Results Bulletins
    • CMP Podcasts
    • CMP Media Kit
    • ON THE MARK Newsletter
      • An On the Mark Series by: Gary Anderson
    • Customer Comments/Feedback
    • CMP Publications and Training Materials
    • The First Shot
    • CMP Shooting News Archives
      • Join Our Email List
    End of Navigation Section
  • Safety
  • Sales & Services
    Skip This Navigation Section
    • Ordering Information
    • CMP Program & Sales Specials
    • Rifle Sales
    • Creedmoor Rifles & Accessories
    • CMP Gift Certificates
    • 1911 Sales Information
    • Videos - M1 Garand
    • CMP Purchase Eligibility Requirements
    • Club Sales Index
    • Custom Gunsmithing
    • Firearm and Parts Sales Links
    • Guns on Auction
    • How CMP Supports Veteran Organizations
    • Visit CMP Stores
    • CMP Target Sales Program
    End of Navigation Section
  • Ranges
    Skip This Navigation Section
    • Air Gun Competition Centers
      • Anniston, Alabama Lodging
      • CMP Monthly Match Program
      • Open Marksmanship
    • CMP Talladega Marksmanship Park
      • Talladega Matches & Events
      • CMP Talladega Pro Shop
      • Talladega Marksmanship Park Shotgun Events
      • 5K Range Run & 1K Fun Run
      • 3D Archery Range
      • Talladega Marksmanship Park Sponsorships
      • Paver Project
      • Talladega Marksmanship Park area lodging info
    • CMP Targets at Petrarca Range
      • CMP Petrarca Monthly .22 Bench League
    End of Navigation Section

Junior Air Rifle Athlete Celebrates Win By Remembering Her Loss

April 8, 2020

Civilian Marksmanship Program▸The First Shot▸Junior Air Rifle Athlete Celebrates Win By Remembering Her Loss

By Ashley Brugnone, CMP Writer 

Ionee Mendoza of Parlier High School JROTC air rifle team from California is a strong athlete. During the JROTC Three-Position Air Rifle Service Championships, held in Chandler, Ariz., in February, the 16-year-old junior earned the top Navy precision title and also finished second overall in a field of over 260 precision competitors. 

Ionee Mendoza, a talented athlete, was the overall winner of the JROTC Service Championship in Arizona.

For Ionee, the win came with bittersweet tears. Her strength as a competitor extended from her skills into her character. The gold medal that hung from her neck was both a symbol for all that she has gained through her hard-fought year and also a reminder of all she has lost.

“I always liked guns when I was younger,” she said, speaking of her rifle career.

Ionee is fully committed to the sport, practicing with her team twice a day and staying away from other school activities – entirely dedicating her time to rifle. The love for marksmanship came from her coach, Chief Warrant Officer Mark Bristol, who introduced her to the rifle team.

Chief Warrant Officer Mark Bristol

 “It drew me in, and now it’s my passion,” she said with a smile.

Warrant Bristol coached Ionee for two years and during that time taught her skills that she has applied on and off of the firing line.

“I learned a lot of things, like patience, focus, my position, how I can apply rifle to everyday life,” she said. “He’s strict, but goofy. He’s forward, but at the same time he’ll kind of make you laugh in the process. So it was really fun learning from him.”

She has many stories about Warrant Bristol, but one of her favorites was when one of her sporter teammates made it to JROTC Nationals and made a bet with Warrant that if she won, he would have to shave off his iconic mustache.

Well, she did, and he made good on his word.

“Once he came back on Monday, we couldn’t recognize him, and we started making fun of him because he looked so different,” Ionee warmly remembered.

Moving into her junior year of high school, Ionee was looking forward to another season of air rifle and learning even more from her coach, but that all changed in an instant on the morning of Aug. 13, 2019 – the first day of school.

As Ionee was in her third period class, an announcement echoed over the loudspeaker. Warrant Bristol, a respected leader of the NJROTC program for the last eight years, had passed suddenly in a motorcycle accident while on his way to school.

“I just couldn’t believe it. I thought it was a lie,” she said.

As can be expected, all school activities were suspended, along with air rifle. After the team learned what happened, their bond became even more resilient as they clung to one another in their grief.

“He was like our father and our best friend – everything,” Ionee said with tears in her eyes. “We just looked out for each other and made sure everybody was okay.”

The JROTC Service Championship in Arizona was her first without her coach, Warrant Bristol.

After a few months, a new routine began and a new rifle coach stepped forward. Chief Jaycee Killian had been hired just two weeks before the start of school, by Warrant himself. It was agreed that he would be the rifle coach and she would handle drill, color guard and other duties. Though she knew nothing about rifle outside of her own military experience, with Warrant’s absence, she had a new responsibility to the cadets.

“I kind of had to take everything on,” Chief Killian said. “I hurried and got JMIC qualified quick because I had to get them back on the range.” 

Without the JMIC (JROTC Marksmanship Instructor) qualification, she and the team weren’t allowed on the range – a place Chief Killian understood they needed to be. 

“I knew I had to get them back to connect them back with him – to build that connection back with him. They connected shooting with him, and to start that healing process, I had to get them back on the range.”

The rapid transition was tough on everyone. Some of the students reached on to her because there was nobody else, but some of them, in her own words, hated her.

“The first week I was there, I said, ‘I know you guys don’t trust me. I know you guys don’t like me, and I know you don’t respect me that much – that’s fine. I’m not here to replace Warrant, I was here to work with Warrant, so now, we have to work together as a team. And I don’t expect you guys to run up and give me hugs . . . but we’re going to build together as a team, and when we do that is when we do it.’”

Initially, they were standoffish. 

“It was so different,” Ionee said. “I’m so used to having Mr. Bristol yelling at us but also making us laugh.” 

“He would always sit in one chair, and every time I look at it – it’s just empty,” she said as she struggled to get the words out.

Ionee admits that, as predicted, she didn’t really care for Chief Killian in the beginning. It’s taken them time to build, but slowly, they have.

“I still respected her,” she said. “But, she turned out really cool.”

Chief Killian was there with Ionee to immediately congratulate her after her win.

To learn as much as possible, Chief Killian began reading books and even relied on the cadets themselves to give her tips on how to coach a rifle team.

“They coach me,” she acknowledged. 

Now, she and Ionee bounce feedback off of each other to improve positioning and other aspects on the line.

“Six months ago, I knew nothing. Now I’m somewhat able to coach my freshman,” said Chief Killian.

She went on, “They’re amazing. I am so blessed. I have an amazing unit that I love. The cadets are so amazing, they’re so resilient. I couldn’t ask for a better unit. I love them – I truly love my cadets.”

“I wouldn’t go anywhere else,” she added.

Chief Killian traveled with Ionee to Arizona – the only member of her Parlier High School team to compete in the match. Ionee confessed she thought about Warrant a lot while competing in the JROTC event, her first without him there behind the firing line. It tore at her emotions.

“I just broke down the first day I came here because it was so different,” she said. “Winning means a lot to me, because whether he’s here or not, I can feel how proud he is.”

“I just miss him.”

Mendoza goes into the JROTC National event as the second overall competitor for all service branches.

Though the year has been one of the hardest she’s had to endure, she says being able to come and enjoy shooting, laughing with her peers, has helped ease the pain of the loss of Warrant. But the future for Ionee will be brighter each day, breathing in and out the spirit of what her coach rooted deep within her. 

Soon, she moves on to the JROTC National Championship, set to fire in March at Camp Perry in Ohio – and, will she win?

“Heck yes,” she said with a beaming smile.

Tweet
Share
Pin
Share46
46 Shares

2 Replies to “Junior Air Rifle Athlete Celebrates Win By Remembering Her Loss”

  1. KETTY BALDWIN (MRS) says:
    April 9, 2020 at 3:28 pm

    MY NAME IS KETTY BALDWIN. I AM A PERUVIAN SHOOTER AND RIFLE COACH (SMALL BORE AND HIGH POWER) ALSO SHOOTING DIRECTOR OF MY SHOOTING CLUB KNOWN AS “CLUB INTERNACIONAL REVOLVER” LOCATED IN LIMA, PERU. I AM INTERESTED IN IONEE MENDOZA SCORES……..INCLUDING FINALS. CAN YOU SEND THEM TO MY EMAIL PLEASE?

    MANY THANKS.

    Reply
    1. Christine Elder says:
      April 10, 2020 at 5:01 pm

      You can view full results at .
      Ionee’s scores were 200 – 19 188 – 8 199 – 17 200 – 18 192 – 11 196 – 14 99.8 – 0 1,274.8 – 87.

      Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

  • Auction
  • Competition Tracker
  • E-Store
  • Forum
  • Join Our Email List
  • Live Targets
  • Photos

Civilian Marksmanship Program

Mission – Promote marksmanship through firearms training, safety, competitions and youth programs.
Vision – To lead the nation in marksmanship excellence providing safe, high quality and innovative programs with a focus on youth.

If you need assistance accessing any of our content or would like it in an alternative format you can contact us via our contact form, click here.

  • Calendar
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
  • MeWe
  • Search
  • Home
  • About
  • Donate
  • Sponsorship
  • Contact
  • Search
  • Youth
  • Clubs
  • Compete
  • National Matches
  • Education
  • News & Media
  • Safety
  • Sales & Services
  • Ranges
  • Privacy Policy

©2023 Civilian Marksmanship Program. All rights reserved.
Site by West Edge Collective.