US ex-serviceman, seventy-five today? Much less than that (3)
I believe the answer is:
vet
'us ex-serviceman' is the definition.
'vet' can be an answer for 'ex-serviceman' ('vet' can be a synonym of 'ex-serviceman'). I am unsure of the 'us' bit.
'seventy-five today? much less than that' is the wordplay.
'VET' is hidden in amongst the letters.
However, I am not sure how this is indicated.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for vet that I've seen before include "Experienced" , "Scrutinise" , "Ex-serviceman" , "Dog doc?" , "Critically examine" .)