EJ is all about the FA in theory, and for the most part it really is. AXA has it's own investments as well, often involving insurance/annuities. Having your own assistant is a very big bennie too

What I am not clear on is if all EJ’s FA’s get an assistant, after what time period? I read some where you could have your own office in a year, so would I be attached to an existing office in the interim?

I did it out of my home office at first, but you are assigned an office that is your "field trainer". something new is that you choose your own longterm mentor, it is not assigned. Yes, everyone gets their own assistant once they qualify for an office (open 50 nonfamily accounts, meet expectations on #s, etc)