Crossword Genius

Soldier first to get job (3)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

gig

'job' is the definition.
(gig is a kind of job)

'soldier first to get' is the wordplay.
'soldier' becomes 'gi' (government issue or general issue**).
'first to' indicates taking the first letters.
The initial letter of 'get' is 'g'.
'gi'+'g'='GIG'

(Other definitions for gig that I've seen before include "One-horse carriage" , "Band performance" , "A one-night musical engagement" , "Palindromic one-night engagement" , "Live performance; light two-wheeled carriage" .)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.
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