noun
private (military rank); recruit
Lowest enlisted rank in the Imperial Japanese Army and Navy; equivalent to private, seaman, or aircraftman depending on branch. Historical term; modern JSDF uses different rank names.
彼は入隊したばかりの二等兵だった。
He was a newly enlisted private.
二等兵から一等兵に昇進した。
He was promoted from private to private first class.