Recruits for strange sect about the present time (6)
I believe the answer is:
cadets
'recruits' is the definition.
'strange sect about the present time' is the wordplay.
'strange' indicates an anagram.
'about' is an insertion indicator.
'the present time' becomes 'AD' (AD, Anno Domini, as opposed to BC, Before Christ).
'sect' with letters rearranged gives 'cets'.
'cets' enclosing 'ad' is 'CADETS'.
'for' is the link.
(Other definitions for cadets that I've seen before include "Pupils" , "Trainee army officers" , "Army officer trainees" , "Military trainees" , "Casted as young army men" .)