also: ふっかん
noun
adjutant; aide-de-camp
Military term for an officer who assists a senior commander with administrative and staff duties.
彼は大佐の副官として司令部で働いている。
He works at headquarters as the colonel's adjutant.
副官は作戦会議の準備を整
The aide-de-camp prepared the operational meeting.
副司令官 is a deputy commander, a higher-ranking position with command authority, while 副官 is a personal staff officer assisting a commander.
Compound of 副 (vice-, assistant) and 官 (official, officer). The reading ふっかん is a euphonic change from ふくかん.