The init scripts (jboss-as-domain.sh and jboss-as-standalone.sh) use the BASH redirect operator > to write output meant for the console upon starting the service to, by default, the console.log file. Truncating this file (for perhaps log rotation) whilst the service is running has proven to be ineffective due to this mode of writing.

Please see a related issue: JBAS-6361 . Also, a useful discussion on the use of > and >> (append) operators relevant in this context can be found at: http://stackoverflow.com/questions/980283/truncating-a-file-while-its-being-used-linux .