ghost soldier n. a soldier who is enlisted or placed on active duty but does not serve; a fake name listed as an active-duty soldier. (source: Double-Tongued Dictionary)
ghost soldier n.— «Butler is not out of the army officially, but he is morally and mentally. He is a thing apart. He will be a “ghost” soldier, more dead in army circles than any who fell in Flanders field.» —“Convicted...
ghost soldier n.— «There were no regular South Vietnamese Army units station in Phuoctuy, and the province grew rich on “ghost soldiers,” phony names on the military roster.» —“Battle for Datdo Tests Local Vietnamese...
ghost soldier n.— «The phrase “ghost soldiers” has a negative connotation in Army parlance—a reference to the administrative practice of filling units with names on paper, but not actual able-bodied soldiers.» —“Troops...