sergeant major
A senior non-commissioned officer rank in the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force, equivalent to sergeant major in some English-speaking armies.
He leads the unit as a sergeant major.
曹長 is a lower rank (sergeant first class) in the same force; 上級曹長 is the next higher rank.
Compound of 上級 (じょうきゅう, 'senior') and 曹長 (そうちょう, 'sergeant major'), a rank title in the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force.