An FSO is authorized to grant or deny an employee's personnel clearance after reviewing their completed SF 86. Is this statement true or false?

The statement is false. An FSO does not have the authority to grant or deny an employee's personnel clearance based solely on the review of their completed Standard Form 86 (SF 86). While the FSO plays a critical role in facilitating the clearance process and ensuring that the necessary forms are completed accurately, the ultimate authority to grant or deny a security clearance resides with the appropriate government agency, typically after conducting a thorough background investigation.

The FSO is responsible for submitting the SF 86 and other necessary documentation to the appropriate authorities, managing the facility's security programs, and ensuring compliance with security policies. However, the process of approving a personnel clearance involves multiple steps and oversight from additional security or investigative bodies which are tasked with evaluating the information on the SF 86 against security standards and guidelines. Therefore, the FSO's role is more about ensuring the process runs smoothly rather than making final determinations on security clearances.