Possible Clues:

• Influential person making company return to drink up
• Officer; outstanding American army swimmer
• A month's work for one with wide influence
• Scoot up (anag.)
• Get around to be what's the matter with 18 down in the sea
• Work for one month for eight
• Love court work for a conglomerate, perhaps
• … earlier piece more like squid
• It's the work of a month to be so well-armed
• Month given to work in an organisation with widespread influence