If you’re an off-roading enthusiast, joining Jeep’s Badge of Honor program can boost your fun. And while anyone can use the Badge of Honor app, Jeep owners get to take advantage of an exclusive perk.
Memorialize your adventures and connect with fellow thrill-seekers. Learn how with this full guide to the Jeep Badge of Honor program.
The Badge of Honor Program: What It Is
Jeep owns, operates, and develops the Badge of Honor program for off-roading enthusiasts to celebrate their experiences. Download the free app to your Apple or Android device to connect with an online community. You can choose trails listed in the app that the Jeep team has handpicked, then post pictures of your exploits.
By participating in the app and finishing trails, you earn points. You also earn a digital badge for every trail you complete. Jeep owners can receive physical badges, called hard badges, to affix to their Jeeps as well. Hard badges personalize your vehicle, leaving a reminder of the fun times you’ve been through together.
Additionally, the app presents you with information that can enrich your understanding of your vehicle and off-roading in general. For example, the app provides a safety checklist. You’ll also be able to read about the meaning of the Trail Rated badge on your Jeep and the history of the brand.
Earn Experience and Gain Points
You earn points in many ways, such as by logging in to use the app, uploading photos, and chatting with other users in the app. The points place you in a hierarchy ranging from “Newbie” to “Trail Expert.” Here’s the ranking system:
- Newbie: 0 points
- Trail Rookie: 100 points
- Trail Explorer: 800 points
- Trail Commander: 2500 points
- Trail Pro: 4000 points
- Trail Expert: 6500 points
While you can earn points in various ways, you’ll rack them up the fastest if you check in at trailheads. Each check-in nets you 200 points. By the time you reach 6,500 points, you’re truly a Trail Expert.
Receive Hard Badges
Anyone who goes off-roading and uses the Badge of Honor program can earn digital badges to keep on their profile in the app. But Jeep reserves one of the best, if not the best, features of this program for Jeep owners. It is the ability to gain a hard badge.
The Jeep design and engineering teams created these badges to reward off-roaders for checking in and completing trails. It’s easy to attach your badge anywhere on your vehicle. For instance, you can place it by your Trail Rated badge or the tailgate.
Jeep retired its first badge design and introduced a new look in July 2019. This new version is more durable than the previous one, with added fade- and scratch- resistance. Thus, it’s perfect for handling the tough conditions Jeeps go through.
Install the App
You’ll find the Badge of Honor app easy to use. After downloading it to your smartphone, you can either create a profile from scratch or link the account to one of your social network accounts.
If you create a new account from scratch, you’ll input your preferred email address. If you connect a social network account, the app will connect to the email address associated with that account.
Congrats! You now have access to features that will enhance your off-roading experience. Your profile screen will store information. This includes your name, your points, how many times you’ve checked in, the number of photos you’ve submitted, and the number of badges you’ve earned.
Browse the Trails
Jeep curates a list of trails and adds new ones periodically. You can browse trails and find maps, information, highlights, difficulty ratings, and user photos taken at the trails.
To find the qualifying trail nearest to you, see the map. A blue dot shows your current position. You can click on the trails by name or their location on the map to learn more.
The app will show you the current temperature at the trailheads and how many hours of daylight remain at each location. This makes it easier for you to plan and prepare for your trip.
Select your trail from a list of diverse terrains, from rugged terrain to gentle paths. The app provides detailed information about the trails, including a link to each trail’s website. And, of course, you can talk to other people who’ve already gone on the route.
Jeep lists trails for all skill levels with a detailed explanation of the difficulty ratings. Here’s the difficulty scale:
- 1 to 3: easy
- 4 to 5: moderate
- 6 to 7: demanding
- 8 to 10: very challenging
The app offers tips on how to rock crawl and drive on snow, mud, and sand. But keep your experience level in mind while looking at the trail ratings.
Check In at the Trailhead
You can get going once you’ve decided on the qualifying trail from the list and packed up all your essentials. The app recognizes your arrival at the trailhead. Check in by hitting the check-in button.
Once you do that, the app automatically awards you points and the digital badge. A screen pops up explaining that your digital badge is being prepared and tells you to expect a confirmation email.
All of this keeps a record of your check-in. If the trail is not within cellular service range, you can upload the check-in once you get back in range.
Request Your Physical Badge
As the full guide to the Jeep Badge of Honor program shows you, participating with the app gives you lots of benefits. But while your digital badge adds a trophy to your profile, you’ll feel truly rewarded with the hard badge.
To request this physical badge, go to the profile screen and click on “View and Request Badges.” Then you’ll see the hard badges you’re eligible for.
If you’ve already requested a badge, you won’t be able to click on it. But if you’re making a new request, you’ll input your Jeep’s 17-character VIN (vehicle identification number). Fill out the rest of the form, too, then hit submit.
The app will inform you to expect an email confirmation for your hard badge request. Expect to receive your badge and a congratulatory letter from Jeep in 8 to 12 weeks.
Personalize Your Jeep
As you can see, the Jeep Badge of Honor program offers lots of benefits to off-roading enthusiasts. Use the app to store data about your journeys, connect with other off-roaders, and prepare for trail runs. And top it all off with a badge to affix to your Jeep.
We at AM Off-Road understand the passion that Jeep owners have for their vehicles and off-roading. That’s why we offer stylish and durable Jeep JK accessories. Browse our inventory and outfit your Jeep for the next great adventure.
