Model soldier, like Rambo, essentially (8)
I believe the answer is:
paradigm
'model' is the definition.
(paradigm is a kind of model)
'soldier like rambo essentially' is the wordplay.
'soldier' becomes 'para' (paratrooper).
'like' becomes 'dig' (to dig can mean to appreciate or 'get').
'essentially' indicates the central letters.
The centre of 'rambo' is 'm'.
'para'+'dig'+'m'='PARADIGM'
(Other definitions for paradigm that I've seen before include "Adam grip (anag.)" , "Standard example" , "Framework or typical example" , "Archetype" , "Conceptual framework - a map grid (anagram)" .)