Crossword Genius

What actor must do to appear as regular soldier (9)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

conscript

'regular soldier' is the definition.
(someone conscripted as a soldier)

'what actor must do to appear' is the wordplay.
I cannot quite see how this works, but
'do' could be 'con' (both can mean to defraud) and 'con' is found within the answer.
The remaining letters 'script' is a valid word which might be clued in a way I don't see.
This may be the basis of the clue (or it may be nonsense).

'as' acts as a link.

(Other definitions for conscript that I've seen before include "Enrol for compulsory service" , "Enlist compulsorily" , "Person drafted into military service" , "One enrolled" , "One who hasn't volunteered" .)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.
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