Shinseki's three-year term on the board will earn him $6,000 per quarter plus $1,200 for every meeting he attends. Shinseki also sits on the board of technology and manufacturing giant Honeywell.

Shinseki's 38-year Army career ended last year after he repeatedly clashed with Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld, particularly over Shinseki's pre-war estimate that hundreds of thousands of troops would be needed to occupy Iraq after the fall of Saddam Hussein.

Born on Kaua'i to Japanese-American parents during World War II, Shinseki went to Kaua'i High School and was nominated to West Point by U.S. Sen. Dan Inouye. Shinseki received a master's degree in English literature from Duke University and taught in the English department at the U.S. Military Academy.

He gained a reputation in the Army as a "soldier's soldier" and served two combat tours in Vietnam. After losing part of his right foot from battle injuries, Shinseki had to appeal to remain in the service. He went on to serve as the commander of Army forces in Europe and of NATO peacekeepers in Bosnia-Herzegovina.

Shinseki became chief of staff in June 1999 and helped lead the military as it responded to the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, and in the war in Afghanistan and the war with Iraq.

"We are delighted to add an American leader with such experience and wisdom to our board," Walter A. Dods, Jr., BancWest's chairman and chief executive officer said in a statement.