Crossword Genius

Old volunteer army producing letter from Greece (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

theta

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'letter from greece' is the definition.
(letter from the Greek alphabet)

'old volunteer army' is the wordplay.
'old volunteer' becomes 'the' (I can't explain this - if you can you should believe this answer much more).
'army' becomes 'TA' (abbreviation for Territorial Army).
'the'+'ta'='THETA'

'producing' is the link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for theta that I've seen before include "Greek character" , "Letter from Greece" , "letter from abroad" , "Letter before iota" , "classic character?" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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