Special Forces vs special operations forces — what's the difference?

The easy answer is that they are both the same... Special Operations Forces (SOF) is a generic term that you can use to refer to any special operations unit. Special Forces is the title of a very specific unit and is not a generic term for other units. However, as noted below, Special Forces units are a part of SOCOM and are therefore considered to be Special Operations Forces...

Special Operations Forces (SOF), include any unit that falls under the United States Special Operations Command (SOCOM). Naval Special Warfare, Air Force Special Operations Command, Army Special Operations Command, and Marine Special Operations Command are all included under this umbrella. They cover everything from the 528th Sustainment Brigade and Civil Affairs to the SEAL Teams and Ranger Regiment. Anyone who does not fall under the SOCOM umbrella. For example, Force Recon companies in the Marine Corps are highly trained and undergo a selection process similar to many SOF units. However, they are not considered Special Operations as they belong to the Marine Corps, not SOCOM.

Special Forces refers to a very specific unit. The 1st Special Forces Regiment falls under the command of the Army Special Operations Command (SOCOM) and includes the 1st, 3rd, 5th, 7th, 10th, 19th, and 20th Special Forces Groups. They are most often referred to by their distinctive headgear, the Green Beret, or simply as “SF.” The Army’s Special Forces are capable of a wide variety of missions but were designed to be the premier experts on unconventional warfare and foreign internal defense.

I am a Life Member of both the Special Forces Association and the Special Operations Association.
Special Forces Association affiliation was with the 1st, 7th, 5th, and 10th Special Forces Groups. Special Operations Association affiliation was with operations conducted in Cambodia and Laos while assigned to MACVSOG-CCS, Special Operations in Pakistan, and with Project 404 in Laos.

Membership qualification for the SFA for Decade and General Members: undeniable proof of Special Forces qualification. For Associate Members: must have served for at least two years with an SF unit, served in a combat zone with SF for at least six months, or have contributed in a unique and definable way if the time periods are not met.

Membership in the SOA is open to Veterans or members of a branch of the US Armed Forces Special Operations Community who have conducted Special Operations as an operational combat element or provided direct support to that element within an assigned area of operations. The operational combat element must be specifically designated and tasked with conducting combat and other combat-related missions of an unconventional, covert and/or clandestine nature.

Once again T & P tells everyone what is already a known known. What a waste of data stream.