Crossword Genius

Like recruits to a regiment at West Point? (3)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

raw

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'like recruits to a' is the definition.
I can't tell whether this defines the answer.

'regiment at west point?' is the wordplay.
'regiment' becomes 'ra' (Royal Artillery).
'at' means one lot of letters go next to another.
'west point?' becomes 'w' (W is an example. I am not sure about the 'west' bit.).
'ra'+'w'='RAW'

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for raw that I've seen before include "Callow" , "Bleeding" , "Unpleasantly cold and damp" , "Uncooked or sore" , "Unprocessed" .)

I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard.
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