Education, Never Representation. We guide veterans — we do not file claims. Outcomes over outputs.

VETERAN NAVIGATION
WITH PURPOSE.

Underdog Advocacy Group provides Veteran-focused education, resource navigation, community connection, and practical support. Based in Virginia Beach, Virginia, our official website is underdogvets.org.

Education Never Representation. Through Claim-to-Excellence (CTE), we help Veterans understand information and organize documentation for informed next steps. We do not file claims, provide VA claims representation, or guarantee benefits outcomes.

MISSION AND VISION

Our Mission

Underdog Advocacy Group’s mission is to help Veterans navigate life after service with greater clarity, confidence, and connection. Through educational readiness guidance, peer support, and practical next-step conversations, UAG helps Veterans make sense of information, understand their options, and connect with appropriate resources.

We recognize that life after service extends beyond any single need. Benefits, health, housing, employment, education, relationships, and community connection can all shape a Veteran’s path forward. Our role is to bring those connected needs into focus and help Veterans identify steps that reflect their circumstances and goals. UAG educates, guides, and connects; we do not file claims or provide representation.

Our Vision

We envision a future where every Veteran has a clearer path to the support, opportunities, and community connections that help them build a meaningful life after service. A future where Veterans feel heard, understand the options available to them, and can approach their next chapter with greater confidence.

UAG’s vision is a more connected veteran-support community—one where Veterans, families, providers, nonprofits, and community partners help close gaps in understanding and access. By encouraging informed choices, strengthening peer connection, and helping people find appropriate support, we aim to contribute to lasting stability, belonging, and quality of life for those who served.

THE UAG DIFFERENCE

Guidance

Educational readiness and practical next-step conversations.

Connection

A path toward resources and community without claiming to replace providers or VSOs.

Whole-life perspective

Claims, stability, and quality-of-life needs are considered as connected topics.

ORGANIZATIONAL TIMELINE

Timeline content is pending owner-approved dates and source records. No milestones are published here until they can be documented accurately.

Our Veteran Support Ecosystem

UAG's potential role is to complement — not replace existing veteran-serving organizations — including the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Veterans Service Organizations, nonprofits, and community providers — across whole-life quality-of-life support. UAG's navigation and educational readiness guidance is intended to connect people with appropriate support and to fill gaps in clarity, not to duplicate or substitute for credentialed care or representation.

national veteran population context

≈ 17.9 million

living U.S. veterans (fiscal year 2024), reported to the nearest 1,000.

Source: U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, National Center for Veterans Analysis and Statistics (NCVAS), Veteran Population Projection Model (VetPop2023), national table — living veterans, all sexes, fiscal year 2024 (as of 9/30/2024). Geographic scope: nationwide (all living veterans, including U.S. territories).

National housing & quality -of-life context

745,652 people

in the U.S. experienced homelessness on a single night in January 2025 — including 266,320 people living unsheltered — a 27% increase since 2013. Housing stability is a core quality-of-life concern common across the veteran and general populations.

Source: U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), Annual Homelessness Assessment Report (AHAR) Part 1 — Point-in-Time (PIT) Estimates, January 2025. Geographic scope: nationwide (all people experiencing homelessness, all populations). Shown as quality-of-life market context only; it is not a UAG program result or served-population figure.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Meet the leaders guiding UAG's mission and commitment to the veteran community.

Patrick A. Tarry, Underdog Advocacy Group
UAG Leadership

Patrick A. Tarry

Technology & Digital Operations

Patrick supports the digital side of UAG’s mission. He helps keep our tools secure, our systems reliable, and our online services easy for veterans to use.

Whether a veteran is booking a call, starting a Readiness Check, or finding resources, Patrick works behind the scenes to make every step clear, safe, and dependable.

Secure, reliable systems
LaShunda McClain, U.S. Navy veteran and Veteran Peer Support at Underdog Advocacy Group
UAG Leadership

LaShunda McClain

Veteran Peer Support

LaShunda is a U.S. Navy veteran whose compassion and dedication to fellow veterans guide her work. She offers understanding, encouragement, and steady support as veterans navigate life beyond service.

She is committed to helping each veteran recognize their strengths, connect with meaningful resources, and move forward with confidence, purpose, and hope.

U.S. Navy Veteran
Tracey E. Ham II, Chief of Personnel at Underdog Advocacy Group
UAG Leadership

Tracey E. Ham II

Chief of Personnel

Tracey leads UAG’s strategic leadership and organizational development. He focuses on cultivating talent, strengthening our culture, and aligning each person’s strengths with the mission.

His leadership emphasizes accountability, professional development, and operational excellence, empowering every team member to perform at their highest potential for the veterans we serve.

Strategic leadership
FOUNDER
Marco Reasco

Marco Reasco

Founder and Executive Director

As a Marine Corps veteran who faced an unexpected medical separation, I leaned on my unwavering drive to self-educate, advocate, and seek out a strong community of resources, starting by moving to Hampton Roads, Virginia.

This journey led to the creation of Underdog Advocacy Group (UAG), a mission-driven initiative that supports fellow veterans navigating similar challenges. Through shared experiences and strategic partnerships, we empower veterans to take charge of their future.

"Every challenge we face is part of God's greater PLAN."

Underdog Advocacy Group

Veterans Helping Veterans | Move Forward With Purpose
Underdog Advocacy Group provides Veteran-focused education, resource navigation, community connection, and practical support.

Official Organization Information
Legal Name: Underdog Advocacy Group
EIN: 41-2535991
Registered Address: 3494 Smokey Chamber Drive, Virginia Beach, VA 23462
Email: [email protected]
Website: underdogvets.org

Education Never Representation.
UAG is not affiliated with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. We do not provide unauthorized VA claims representation or guarantee benefits outcomes.

© 2026 Underdog Advocacy Group. All rights reserved.