What is the difference between military elites and special forces?

I noticed that books specializing on military subjects call the U.S.M.C.,the 101st Airborne Division,the 82nd Airborne Division,the British Parachute Regiment,the Royal Marines,and the French Foreign Legion and other amphibious assault,paratrooper,and Air Mobile assault units military elites but not special forces.





So what is a military elite and what seperates them from special forces?


I mean what seperates a SAS commando or Navy Seal from a US Marine and 82nd Paratrooper or French Foreign Legionnaire?|||Well they aren't called 'elites' in the military but I understand what you are saying. The 'elites' have more than the average training of a regular soldier. They are specialized. I wouldn't drop the entire USMC in that category however. Just the 03xx series. Air Mobile hasn't existed since the Vietnam War. They are Air Assault now.





But they are no where near on par with the training that Special Forces recieve.





on a scale of 1-10





1 - Combat Service Support Soldiers


2 -


3 - Combat Support Soldiers


4


5 - Combat Soldiers


6 - Airborne/Air Assault


7


8 - Rangers/Spec Ops


9


10 - Special Forces