Couple Of Questions
 

i am running vb3.8.1

first off...is it possible to have joinable usergroups selectable on the registration page instead of users having to go into the usercp to find them

and secondly is there a mod or something to have an icon next to the usernames of members in a specific usergroup

1) By default? No. There may be a Mod, but I don't know.

2) You can add it under Usergroup Manager > Edit usergroup > enter is in the Username HTML Markup box.:
First Box: <img src="image.jpg" alt=""/>
Second Box:

or, if you are also using some style on your usernames:
First Box: <img src="image.jpg" alt=""/><span style="whatever">
Second Box: </span>

ok thanks for the help, ill have a look round see if i can find a mod for that first bit