Acted as would-be officer (5)

I believe the answer is:

cadet

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'officer' is the definition.
(I have seen 'Potential officer ' mean 'cadet' so perhaps 'officer' could also mean 'cadet')

'acted as would-be' is the wordplay.
'acted' anagrams to 'CADET'.
But, I am unsure how this is indicated.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for cadet that I've seen before include "Military student" , "One taking instructions" , "Apprentice officer" , "novice" , "not the heir" .)

I've seen this clue in The Globe and Mail.

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