Crossword Genius

Stick together with Commanding Officer present (6)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

cohere

'stick together' is the definition.
(to cohere is to stick or fit together)

'with commanding officer present' is the wordplay.
'with' is a charade indicator (letters next to each other).
'commanding officer' becomes 'co'.
'present' becomes 'here' (both can mean in attendance).
'co'+'here' is 'COHERE'.

(Other definitions for cohere that I've seen before include "Stick firmly together" , "Be consistent" , "Form a whole" , "Even; without jerks" , "Hold firmly together" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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