Young officer is awkward but learns (9)

I believe the answer is:

subaltern

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'young officer' is the definition.
'subaltern' can be an answer for 'officer' (subaltern is a kind of officer). I am not sure about the 'young' bit.

'awkward but learns' is the wordplay.
'awkward' is an anagram indicator.
'but'+'learns'='butlearns'
'butlearns' is an anagram of 'SUBALTERN'.

'is' acts as a link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for subaltern that I've seen before include "Lesser official" , "Junior officer" , "Army officer below the rank of captain" .)

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

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