Sam! You're asking me all the hard questions today!
I probably can't go in to the detail you're looking for here (simply because I don't know enough about the reserves side of things), but I'll do the best I can.
Firstly, if you are thinking of joining during training rather than post FY2 I would double check what your options are with our recruitment team. Simply because the number of training spots each year can vary significantly, and our training tends to be oversubscribed. Their contact details can be found at the bottom of their website
https://www.army.mod.uk/who-we-are/corps-regiments-and-units/army-medical-services/
I've collated a few responses from some of my regular colleagues who used to be reservists so have an idea what both sides are like (I fear I would be too heavily biased!)
Benefits of being a regular
- GDMO time
- Priority for courses (eg BATLS)
- More likely to deploy (while deployments are available to reservists, the general feeling seemed to be that they were often too short notice to get time off work, or too far in the future to be able to make a decision as you wouldn't know which hospital/rotation you would be working in. There are also limited opportunities for doctors who have not yet CCT'd)
- Better pay + all the financial benefits of being in the military (housing/accom etc..)
- Better army experience - officership, duties of a medical officer, general understanding of how the army functions.
Benefits of being a reservist
- More choice in specialty training, arguably also less competitive (depending on where you want to work)
- More flexible generally, can opt in/out of exercises
- Can top up NHS pay with MTDs, bounty, claiming courses, education fund etc..
I realise not all of the above will be relevant for you if you're not able to join until you've started specialty training, but I hope the general jist is helpful. If anyone else gets back to me with anything that may be useful for you, I'll post an update.