Sunrise host enlists in the army

A Sunrise host has shocked viewers by announcing he’s off to the army, at 53 years old.

Sports presenter and host, Mark Beretta has signed up to the Australian Army Reserves, where he’ll be known as Captain Beretta if you don’t mind.

The veteran reporter has been approved to serve in the Australian Army’s Forces Command as a captain, a part-time commitment of 20 days a year.

After years as Sunrise’s go-to expert on all things sport, Mark says he’s found himself at the bottom of the ladder in this new world.

“I have got buckets to learn,” he told Confidential. “I went in as the new kid; I trip over myself and put my uniform upside down and weird but they have been so supportive.”

He told the news site he loves the community spirit and national pride he finds at the Vic Barracks in Paddington where he is based.

It’s not the first time Mark has shaken up his career.

He was formerly a professional water skier, and a 10-time Australian champion in the sport.

A true veteran of sports reporting, Mark has presented sport for Channel Seven for almost 25 years, and it seems he’s kept sporty in his personal life too.

The Army Reserves are notorious for including gruelling physical testing in their recruitment process, which 53-year-old Mark clearly passed in order to be accepted.

“It was a bit of a challenge but I’ve really enjoyed it.”

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