SECTION: NEIGHBORHOODS; Pg. B1
LENGTH: 550 words
HEADLINE: TOP TEEN HOPES TO FOLLOW FATHER'S LEAD
BYLINE: ROBIN WEISS, For The Capital

David Connell is as fun-loving as any other senior at Annapolis High School, enjoying indoor track, lacrosse, parties and sleepovers with his dozen or so closest friends.

But as company commander of the school's Navy Junior ROTC detachment, he's all business, barking orders and encouragement to his charges whether he's clad in a crisp uniform or T-shirt and jeans.

Last month, the 18-year-old from Rolling Knolls was awarded the Legion of Valor Bronze Cross for Achieve-ment, which recognizes ROTC cadets for outstanding academics and leadership.

Only 18 were presented nationwide this year.

David said he was "totally surprised," but he's been devoted to the Reserve Officer Training Corps for all four years of high school.

This NJROTC program, the only one in the county, is open to all county high schoolers. Of the 130 enrolled this year, approximately 30 commute from other schools.

A few large classrooms and an office are home to this program, which involves a naval science course, as well as a drill team, competition color guard and air rifle team.

One day a week, the students under David's command are required to dress in uniform and pass inspection, a ritual awkward for some, but which David loves, partly "to show off my medals!"

Yet in seriousness, he emphasizes not the long list of his achievements and awards but, he said, the "unique opportunity to get to know myself and to gain trust from my peers."

Retired Cmdr. Robert Baker, the program's naval science instructor who has known David for a decade, has seen him emerge as "a quiet leader, who fosters a sense of camaraderie and family in the unit."

David's father, retired Navy Cmdr. Royal Connell, the senior naval science instructor, calls his son "the most enthusiastic supporter of NJROTC in the unit."

The admiration and respect are mutual. "As a boy, I wanted to be a fighter pilot like my dad," David says.

There is no military obligation to this program, but David's dream is to follow in his dad's footsteps and attend the Naval Academy next fall.

For David, a week in North Carolina with his platoon last summer, where he characteristically served as leader and role model during outdoor exercises to further team- and confidence-building, was a summer vacation.

David's two older brothers, Roy and Allan, are in non-military professions: graphic design and computers.

Tommi Brown, the NJROTC fund-raising chairman, has watched her son Andrew Stickler grow up with David.

"I've known David from the time he was an Eagle Scout, at age 13. His strength as a leader comes from caring for others, always doing for others, like his mom, Melinda Connell."

David helps other NJROTC students with math and science. He has a 3.95 grade-point average, is in the National Honor Society, has spent three years as student government representative, and went to the state championship with his lacrosse team.

Away from school, he serves as youth leader at the Church of Latter-day Saints.