Crossword Genius

Untrained old volunteers retreating in conflict (2,3)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

at war

'in conflict' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)

'untrained old volunteers retreating' is the wordplay.
'untrained' becomes 'raw'.
'old volunteers' becomes 'TA' (Territorial Army, former name of the Army Reserve).
'retreating' is a reversal indicator.
'raw'+'ta'='rawta'
'rawta' written backwards gives 'AT WAR'.

(Another definition for at war that I've seen is " In conflict".)

I've seen this clue in The Guardian.
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