This is only a theory I am developing but based on the fact that I am on my 10th patrol, never had a retirement, on my 3rd sub and never had a repeating objective I think I may be getting an idea of how the game mechanics work.
Once you complete an objective you should always radio in. This lets the game know what your status is and will either assign you a new objective (if you have ordanance left) or allow you to return home and move to the next mission/objective. If you don't it appears that the game does not recognize the completed objective and re-assigns it.
Now we can all sit around saying the game should do this and the game should do that... and we could also recognize the fact that if my Granny had wheels she would be a Buick, but my reality is that this way has worked flawlessly for me since 1.0.
It is also important to remember that there are two measurement systems running. One is overall tonnage for which you earn "renown" points. The second is completing objectives (and getting that recognized) which keeps you from being retired. This part is not a theory, but a fact.
Try it out and see if it works for you.
JCC
By the way... simply being sent to the same patrol area is not a repeating mission. Historically lots of boats were sent where the action was. Being sent to the exact same spot would be a repeated objective. And more that three times to the same area, or 3+ insertions/recons would be as well.
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