As the importance of cell phones has increased dramatically over the past few years, more companies and corporations are coming on board with specialized apps aligned with their brand.  You can control everything from your home alarm system to your car, and from the temperature of your house to what your DVR is set to record that evening.  Even car companies are jumping on the cell phone application bandwagon.  Jeep, as they strive to corner the young and adventurous market has created a cell phone app called the Jeep Badge of Honor, and it’s definitely a Jeep thing.

As we see Jeeps in our local areas festooned with banners claiming “It’s a Jeep Thing” or “If You Can Read This, Roll Me Over”, it becomes clear that the Jeep is so much more than a car.  For every undecorated and clean Jeep you see on the roads, there’s a least one that is caked with mud and emblazoned with prideful statements about outsiders of the Jeep world not getting the whole Jeep thing.  Well, with the Badge of Honor app, Jeep has furthered singled out the non-Jeep owners from the Jeep owners.  They’ve made it very clear that maybe we’re not supposed to understand, and if we want to understand what the life is all about, we should be driving a Jeep.

The Jeep Wrangler had very auspicious beginnings as it was initially constructed to be used a vehicle during World War II.  From there, their popularity has grown exponentially, as they easily have slipped into the niche of the adventurer’s vehicle.  Large, boxy, and intimidating, the Wrangler is clearly made for a bigger purpose than simply traversing the city streets and hauling the family to Junior’s soccer game.  The Jeep started out destined for greatness, and this BOH app makes sure you’re fulfilling that destiny.

Fans of the off-road circuit are able to log their progress, share their adventures, and experience new trails with other Jeep owners as they cut through the wilderness in pursuit of points via the app, and bragging rights amongst their friends.  Available for both Android and IPhone systems, the Badge of Honor app has many different facets that are uniquely Jeep.  The ultimate reward within the app is to earn more decorative pieces for your Jeep that proclaim that you clearly do understand this Jeep thing.

Basically what happens when a Jeep owner downloads the app, is this; drivers log in, registers their vehicle, and pick an image that represents your Jeep spirit.   From there, you get a listing of awesome off-roading trails, the option to gain points for the trails you’ve beaten, and the ability to photograph yourself mastering these off-road locations.  For each trail that drivers check into, they earn trail points that allow you to climb the ranks from Newbie to Trail Expert.  The GPS system in your phone will prove that you are where you say you are, and your points will be recorded.

As a rule, off-roading trails are often in areas that have less than stellar cell-phone reception, but the Badge of Honor app will still work in even if your cell doesn’t.  To earn more points, and climb the Jeep Trail ladder, users can comment on others’ posts, photograph their trail adventures, share with friends, and log in on a daily basis.  As drivers complete trails, they are then awarded actual badges to add to their Jeeps, thus signifying their mastery of some of the country’s toughest off-roading locations, and to keep up the appearance of the mysterious Jeep thing.

Even the Jeep wave is part of the online community in the Badge of Honor app.  While it is considered rude to ignore a Jeep wave on the road, the same goes for the app.  The Badge of Honor app was made to further unite Jeep owners and express the Jeep owner’s love of the off-road experience.  The Jeep spirit exemplifies fun and adventure, and the BOH app serves as a way to fully embrace that spirit.  While many other drivers may not get the point, Jeep owners know; it’s a Jeep thing, and you wouldn’t understand.