[sexobon]

The deceased soldier, who's family is complaining about Trump's phone call, was not a Green Beret. There are pictures of him online showing him wearing a maroon beret, the generic headgear of those assigned to airborne units.

He was assigned to the 3rd Special Forces Group (Airborne); however, he was in an organic support element. He was working as a driver. Junior mechanics are often detailed as drivers. He should have been airborne (parachutist) qualified; but, not Special Forces qualified (i.e. not a Green Beret).

You're probably familiar with some conventional Army structure like a company, x 3 = battalion, x 3 = brigade, x 3 = division. A Special Forces Group (which is geographically oriented) is like a supersized brigade with organic supporting elements including a Service Company (doctor, dentist, assistants, motor pool mechanics, mess hall food service specialists, supply specialists), a Signal Company (radio communications, maintenance, audio-visual), and a Military Intelligence Company (intel, counter-intel).

There are a lot of service members assigned to Special Forces Groups who are not Green Berets. They need only be airborne qualified to fill those support positions. Neither those in the military nor those outside the military with any knowledge of Special Forces unit structure refer to a soldier who isn't Special Forces qualified as a Green Beret just because the soldier is assigned to one of the Groups.