Model soldier, like leader of military (8)
I believe the answer is:
paradigm
'model' is the definition.
(paradigm is a kind of model)
'soldier like leader of military' is the wordplay.
'soldier' becomes 'para' (para is a kind of soldier**).
'like' becomes 'dig' (I've seen this in other clues).
'leader of' indicates taking the first letters.
The initial letter of 'military' is 'm'.
'para'+'dig'+'m'='PARADIGM'
(Other definitions for paradigm that I've seen before include "Pattern -conceptual framework" , "Archetype" , "Typical example or pattern" , "Prototype" , "Epitome" .)