Civilian Boot Camps: Civilian boot camps have been an increasingly popular trend in fitness thanks to pioneers such as Patrick Avon, the snarling, gruff Navy veteran who in 1989 created the Rockville-based Sergeants Program (motto: "Be All You Used to Be"). Avon, a k a the Sarge, is known to scream at participants and, for instance, make them do push-ups in front of doughnut shops, living up to the stereotype of crusty military drill sergeant. Although most of the many fitness boot camps that have proliferated have no ties to the military, they do have a similar goal. It's still war -- just a war on fat.