Prior to the Cultural Revolution, military region commanders tended to remain in post for long periods.

Two commanders served for long periods in the Shenyang MR, Chen Xilian, from 1959 to 1973, and Li Desheng from 1974 to 1985.

However, there is a military limitation treaty and information disclosure agreement in place between the Russian Federation and the People's Republic of China.

The International Institute for Strategic Studies listed the formation in 2006 with an estimated 250,000 personnel, three group armies, and two armoured, one mechanised, four motorised, and one artillery division.

Organizations affiliated with the Shenyang Military Region often used the nickname "forward" (Chinese: 前进; pinyin: qiánjìn; lit.