A bad soldier seems a drawback to the commanding officer (6)
I believe the answer is:
coward
'a bad soldier' is the definition.
The answer and definition can be both people as well as being singular nouns.
Perhaps there's an association between them I don't understand?
'a drawback to the commanding officer' is the wordplay.
'a drawback' becomes 'ward' (I've seen this in other clues).
'to' is a charade indicator (letters next to each other) (I've seen this in other clues).
'the commanding officer' becomes 'co'.
'ward' put after 'co' is 'COWARD'.
'seems' acts as a link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for coward that I've seen before include "Theatrical fellow" , "writer and composer" , "Chicken" , "Noel ..... composed musical 'Bitter Sweet'" , "Poltroon" .)