Specific rank in the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force; equivalent to master sergeant in many English-speaking armies.
He was promoted to master sergeant.
The rank insignia for master sergeant has three cherry blossoms.
曹長 is the next higher rank (sergeant major), while 一等陸曹 is one step below.
二等陸曹 is one rank lower (sergeant first class).
Standard kanji spelling for this JGSDF rank.
Variant using numeral １; less common but still seen in official contexts.
Compound of 一等 (first class) + 陸曹 (ground sergeant), a modern JGSDF rank term.