NINEVAH PROVINCE, Iraq — As his proud father looked on, Staff Sgt. James Wiggins Jr., signed on the dotted line Sunday, promising an indefinite re-enlistment into the U.S. Army — and got not a single cent in bonus money for it.

Neither did Staff Sgt. Sonny Franco, who like Wiggins, isn’t eligible for re-enlistment bonuses after 15 years of service.

But fellow re-enlistee Sgt. Francisco Bustos cleaned up. With 10 years in, he signed on for another five years and gets a lump sum of $15,000 up front, and all tax-free because he’s in a combat zone. He said he’s buying a house for his family with it.

All three soldiers from 40th Transportation Company, deployed to the outskirts of Mosul in northern Iraq, took their oath in the 200-year-old Star Palace, at the foothills of the Star Mountains, so named because when viewed from the sky they look like the shape of a star.

Wiggins, a 36-year-old convoy commander, just wanted his father, Chief Warrant Officer 5 James Wiggins, also serving in Iraq, to officiate the oath.

He got that, and more. Having it take place in the Star Palace was a huge bonus, he said.

“This is really cool. It’s definitely something to tell my kids about,” said the father of five children who range in age from 1 to 16.

The crumbling citadel, complete with barracks, barn and execution chamber, was erected more than 200 years ago by a Turk named Abdallihmed Al-thain in an attempt to lay claim to a mountainous region of Iraq, according a historical lesson provided by a translator.

While the services are struggling to meet goals for new recruits, one of the unexpected trends with the nation at war have been relatively high re-enlistment rates. The National Guard exceeded its re-enlistment goals, in part by doubling its bonuses. The Army and Marines, too, have reported either exceeding their re-enlistment goals or being within a few percentage points.

While no firm figures are yet available, officials have said re-enlistment rates for overseas units are higher than those for ones that have remained in the United States.

For Franco, 38, re-enlisting means remaining a part of an organization that he sees as sharing his values of camaraderie, leadership and family, said the native of the Philippines who moved to the United States when he was 20.

“The only thing that keeps me going [in the military] is values and how fortunate I am to be in the military,” he said.

The three soldiers were later treated to a catered lunch at the behest of Brig. Gen. Ali Atala Malowh, commanding general of 102nd Battalion of the Iraqi army, who insisted on hosting the party with food his wife prepared.

After lunch of traditional roasted chicken, lamb, rice, tomatoes, onions, black olives, tiny apricots and pickled vegetables, Ali toasted the three.

“I want to thank the three soldiers who will continue with the U.S. Army and I say thank you and congratulations with all my heart,” he said.