Matt, If I get the "8" Kom I try and place him far away from the action and only activate him if I have to. I can kill my own troops quick enough as it is without his help. The "10" Kom tends to stay with the Commander untill needed and he will be used as much as possible.
I have fond memories of one game early on in my PG career before we had fully grasped the rules when my KOM shot my MAJOR much to Vince's amusement.