military officer; commissioned officer
Refers to a commissioned officer in the armed forces. In Japanese contexts, it typically covers ranks from second lieutenant upward.
He served as a naval officer for ten years.
Officer cadets undergo rigorous training.
He underwent training and became an officer.
She works as an officer in the navy.
士官 refers to commissioned officers, while 下士官 refers to non-commissioned officers such as sergeants.
士官 (a military officer) and 仕官 (to enter government or samurai service) are homophones with completely different meanings.
士官 just means a commissioned officer in general, while 副官 specifically denotes an officer serving as a commander's personal aide.
士官 refers to a commissioned officer's rank itself, whereas 上官 refers to whoever is above you in the chain of command, regardless of rank.
Sino-Japanese compound of 士 (warrior, gentleman) and 官 (official, government post). The term was adopted in the modern military sense during the Meiji period.