Crossword Genius

Soldiers, if leading reserve, will get opening (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

orifice

'opening' is the definition.
('orifice' can be a synonym of 'opening')

'soldiers if leading reserve' is the wordplay.
'soldiers' becomes 'or' (Other Rank).
'leading' says to put letters next to each other.
'reserve' becomes 'ice' (I've seen this before).
'or'+'if'+'ice'='ORIFICE'

'will get' is the link.

(Other definitions for orifice that I've seen before include "Finding opening" , "Vent" , "8 [OPENING]" , "Hole, opening" , "provided by gold and diamonds" .)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.
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