Crossword Genius

Soldier dropping in standard initially achieved (4)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

para

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'soldier' is the definition.
(paratrooper)

'standard initially achieved' is the wordplay.
'standard' becomes 'par' (standard of play in golf).
'initially' says to take the initial letters.
The first letter of 'achieved' is 'a'.
'par'+'a'='PARA'

'dropping in' is the link.
I am not very happy about this link. Some or all of it may be part of another bit of the clue.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for para that I've seen before include "Soldier who's dropped in? (abbr)" , "Soldier in an airborne unit" , "A block of text; an airborne soldier (abbrs.)" , "Soldier who jumps to order? (abbr)" , "High-jumper" .)

I've seen this clue in The Telegraph and The Sun.
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