Crossword Genius

March 2nd: class to retire from military service (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

demob

'retire from military service' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)

'march 2nd class' is the wordplay.
'march' becomes 'demo' (as in a demonstration).
'2nd class' becomes 'B' (as in B-list).
'demo'+'b'='DEMOB'

'to' acts as a link.

(Other definitions for demob that I've seen before include "Return to civvy street" , "Leave the military" , "Release from army" , "Leave the army" , "Discharge from military service" .)

I've seen this clue in The Guardian.
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