The 1942 HB talks about MBs: "Preparation for these (MBs) is by special counselor and badges are awarded by the Court of Honor"
The 1943 Merit Badge Counselor Guide (which is a pretty neat little pamphlet) says :
"After the examination the Scout appears before the Board of Review - a body of at least three men whose duty it is to check on the requirements for all Merit Badges, and to certify that the proper standards have been upheld. One reason this is necessary is that large Councils often have more than one Counselor in a subject to take care of the greater number of boys. The Board of Review then, in fairness to the boy, assures itself that some Counselors have not been too strict or others too easy. The Board of Review, however, does not conduct a detailed re-examination of the boy"
"The Board of Review authorizes the awarding of the Merit Badge when it is satisfied that all requirements have been met according to the standards set up by the National organization"
The 1948 HB describes the MB process as follows:
1. Scout asks for an application
2. If the SM feels you're ready to start, he signs the applicationand puts you in touch with the Merit Badge Counselor
3. Scout goes to the MBC and when the scout has completed the requirements, the MBC gives you an examination and if you are successful, the MBC signs the application
4. Scout returns the application to the SM
5. Later the scout is reviewed in this subject before a Board of Review
The BOR will not re-examine you but they will question you on what you have accomplished.
The reference to a BOR review/approval of the scout's MB appears to disappear from the 1951 HB.
SOOOOO back to the unit that holds BORs on MBs, it is not current policy to do so but if your committee is made up of 90+ year olds, that's what they remember they went through to get their MBs.
