I don't know about rushing with them. They take a good deal of time to train, time that could have been used on more effective means of arms.

And yes, you will get normal adoptions/man of the hour. I was running very low on family members with a giant empire (32 provinces), suddenly all my captainlead armies that won got the 'moth'.

Also notice that these guys are called 'General' wher your normal family members are called just that.