The new career frameworks designate 3/O(LS) as a training billet. There don't seem to be many of them around now.
There has also been a change in the branch structure that should drastically reduce the billets for 1/Os at sea, and slightly reduce C/Os. Many seagoing 2/O billets are now filled by 1/Os.
A deck officer I know has gone from 3/O to C/O in the same time.
Dickie is exceptional and should not be used as an example of anything but exceptional progress.
I don't know how that's turned out or if it's even still running.
LH(AA) is, as ex-Jenny says, a dead branch. I believe they have all now either retired, returned to source branch, or become LSOs. Apart from one who is suing for constructive dismissal. They greatly improved customer service over that offered by a grumpy single-handed purser or a grumpy passed-over 3/O(LS) and will be missed. I believe the only billets for them were on LSD(A), though I did encounter one on an AFSH refit.
RFA Future Development Document said:
Removal of Administrative Assistant specialisation. Whilst providing a
valuable service, the limited number of billets and resultant small size of the subdepartment
– coupled with the lack of career progression has meant that we believe
that this branch is unsustainable and so will be phased out.
Anything the LSO couldn't be arsed with.
Customer facing front-desk role in the Ship's Office. Signing on and off and the associated paperwork, issuing subs, selling stamps and bond, handling mail, stationery, pay enquiries, liaising with Ship's Agent, much of the routine admin of the Ship's Office.