Exercise two: What are they trying to say?

What is really being said in the following real-world writing samples?

1. A doctor records on a patient’s chart: "Patient failed to fulfill his wellness potential.”
2. U.S. Army talks about "vertically deployed anti-personnel devices."
3. Civilian mechanics at a McClellan Air Force base in California are placed on "non-duty, non-pay status.”
4. The Massachusetts Department of Public Works speaks of "ground-mounted confirmatory route markers.”
5. A store in St. Louis advertises "semi-antique" rugs.

From the Quarterly Review of Doublespeak

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When you're done, continue to Exercise two takeaways