After a player assigns a character on a planet the command rank of "General", is any other action required for them to enhance the performance of any troop regiments on the planet?

Currently, if I have a character-General on a planet, their status is "Awaiting Orders" and they are flagged in the "Idle Personnel" display mode.

Am I assuming correctly that the General would enhance the troop regiments if the planet came under Assault?

Right now, I just wish Generals on planets wouldn't show up in the "Idle Personnel" display mode. Before I elevated any Generals, I was using "Idle Personnel" to find any characters, Infiltrators, etc who had returned from missions. Now the Generals on planets are being flagged all the time. I half-tempted to move the Generals from the planets to Transports, so they can command the troops there.

Anyone have any info on the best use of Generals? Offensive or Defensive?

Just being assigned is sufficient. I don't think moving them to the fleet would help as idle personnel on ships show in that option, and I don't think their general bonus would apply to troops on the ground, only those on the fleet.

Yes they stay idle, yes they improve troops, stop enermy missions, block escapes etc and the Emperior is the best general in the game... bit of a waist imo but just having him around really puts the piss up the rank and file.

You only need a general on the capital to guard all the prisioners/ block Luke and having one with you when you assult a planet is good... he drills the troops whilst the guys with dip skill talk people around. Any other guys should be spying or taking rebs back to the cap for a chat with the boss.

Thanks much for the helpful replies!

Generals, Admirals and Commanders give a boost to your fleets and defences.

Example - if you make Luke a Commander, your squadron of fighters will move MUCH faster and do more damage.

On Planets, having a General present can increase detection of espionage and Sabotage missions. Also, you get a defence bonus from a ground assault.