I was wondering what the difference between the SEALs, Force Recon, Rangers and Green Berets where. Is there a difference in what missions they do? I am also currious why the army has two groups. Thanks for any insight.

Yes they are different but can be assigned simular missions.

Navy Seals typically operate from most ships but frequently utilze helo's and occassionally C-130's to ingress the area of operations.

Force Recon are specialized Marines that perform operations where a Marine Corps presence needs to be applied covertly.

As for the Rangers and Green Beret's? Both are part of the same..that is Special Forces. Why they have two verses just one? I dunno but I think it has to do with backing each other up. (that oughta get a rise out of some in here....cavscout!) Just kidding. Any Army in here can address that particular question? Always wondered about that myself. The Green Berets I met at the bars on base didn't like it too much when I'd knock that little green beanie off thier head for shits an giggles. Army guy's don't uncover when entering a building so we'd help them. Didn't take long for the word to get around that the Marines expected that whenever they come into the bar.

The only Rangers I know are those in here. Not too many at that. Kinda hard to virtually knock off thier little beanie in here.....

We keep seeing "Special Forces" in the Joining the Military thread. Let's make one thing clear-- you can't sign up to be in Special Forces. You can apply once you're in the military, but nobody off the street can join up for Special Forces.

Green Berets are the US Army Special Forces. Rangers are infantrymen trained for Special Operations...or "grunts with cool gear" as we called them. Rangers are the only unit a basic recruit can enter.

Here's a breakdown of the US Special Forces:
http://usmilitary.about.com/od/jointservices/a/specialops.htm