noun
noncommissioned officer
Military term for an enlisted rank below commissioned officers, such as sergeant or petty officer. Used in formal or historical contexts.
彼は陸軍の下士として長年勤務した。
He served for many years as a noncommissioned officer in the army.
Compound of 下 (lower) and 士 (warrior/officer), literally 'lower officer'. The exact historical derivation is uncertain, but the term has been used in Japanese military contexts to denote noncommissioned ranks.