I have removed all personal anecdotes as per our rules. No offense intended to those who contributed these, but it is not what our subreddit is about. People looking for personal experiences should turn to /r/AskReddit. Again, no offense intended to that sub, as it sometimes features interesting stories. The intent of /r/AskHistorians, however, is to provide in-depth, source-based answers from people who have studied the area or topic under discussion.
This is not meant as a reprimand, as I am sure of everybody's good intentions.
What was the exemption for married men? My father-in-law had served in the Marines in the early 60's, and when he heard about the draft, he and his girlfriend got married and he got her pregnant immediately. He said it was to avoid be recalled to the marines to fight in Vietnam. Was a married man with children exempt from service?
He served 1958-62 and received an honorable discharge, but feared he could be drafted because he was already trained and discharged as a Sgt.
I hope this isn't deleted as it is a factual, and no more anecdotal than if I were the Commandant of the Marine Corps, answer of my own experience. I am a 62 year old former US Marine Sergeant. When I turned 18 in 1970 my draft number - assigned by birth date, under the lottery system, was 81. I was in college as a freshman. Timothy J. Murphy (whose name IS on the wall in Washington DC) ) from just up the street had been recently killed in Nam and I was thoroughly against our presence in Viet Nam.
When the lottery reached #79, in order to not get drafted, but to do what I had to do, but not get killed for it, I and many others joined the USMC Reserves. This meant dropping out of college and going to Parris Island. After several months at Parris Island Recruit Depot, Second Battalion, graduating on 21 April 1972, Platoon 216, then Camp Geiger Infantry Training, where we learned to throw hand grenades, shoot bazookas and many other weapons, then further training as an ammo technician and truck driver in Camp LeJeune, for six months -minus one day- as required, I was released from Active Duty status and into Active Reserve status with the 6th Motor Transport Battalion in Middlesex New Jersey. This meant we went to Reserve Training one weekend per month (we called ourselves Weekend Warriors) and two weeks each summer for further training (AKA Summer Camp). We could be called up for Active duty by the Commander-in-Chief if required. We were not.
I hope this thoroughly explains how hundreds of young men avoided the draft. Note to MOD, I have read the rules and my post is eye-witness fact. I can send you proof if you require.