noun
Abbreviation of 三等陸曹 (santō rikusō), a non-commissioned officer rank in the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force. Used in military contexts.
See also: 三等陸曹
彼は三曹に昇進した。
He was promoted to sergeant.
三曹として部隊を指導する。
He leads the unit as a sergeant.
Full, unabbreviated term for the same rank; more formal and explicit.
Abbreviation of 三等陸曹 (santō rikusō), literally 'third-class land sergeant'. The kanji 三 means 'three', and 曹 is a historical term for a non-commissioned officer or official.