A fiber optic plug and receptacle assembly comprising: a fiber optic plug, the fiber optic plug comprising: a plug body having a shroud proximate a first end thereof, the shroud defining at least one opening, and a fiber optic connector disposed within the plug body and comprising a connector housing and a plug ferrule at least partially disposed within the connector housing, wherein the plug ferrule is mounted within the connector housing such that a front face of the plug ferrule extends beyond a forward end of the connector housing, and wherein the first end of the plug body extends beyond a front face of the plug ferrule; the fiber optic connector is disposed within the plug body such that the forward end of the connector housing as well as the front face of the plug ferrule are exposed and accessible within the shroud via the first end of the plug body, and the at least one opening extends lengthwise from at least a medial portion of the shroud to the first end of the plug body so that the forward end of the connector housing and the front face of the plug ferrule are also exposed and accessible through the at least one opening; and a fiber optic receptacle for mating with the fiber optic plug, the fiber optic receptacle comprising: a receptacle housing defining an internal cavity opening through opposed ends, and an adapter sleeve disposed within the internal cavity defined by the receptacle housing, the adapter sleeve defining a lengthwise extending passage for receiving a portion of the plug ferrule of the fiber optic plug, wherein the shroud of the fiber optic plug and the adapter sleeve of the fiber optic receptacle are sized such that portions of the adapter sleeve are disposed within the at least one opening defined by the shroud once the plug ferrule of the fiber optic plug is inserted into the adapter sleeve. a fiber optic plug, the fiber optic plug comprising: a plug body having a shroud proximate a first end thereof, the shroud defining at least one opening, and a fiber optic connector disposed within the plug body and comprising a connector housing and a plug ferrule at least partially disposed within the connector housing, wherein the plug ferrule is mounted within the connector housing such that a front face of the plug ferrule extends beyond a forward end of the connector housing, and wherein the first end of the plug body extends beyond a front face of the plug ferrule; the fiber optic connector is disposed within the plug body such that the forward end of the connector housing as well as the front face of the plug ferrule are exposed and accessible within the shroud via the first end of the plug body, and the at least one opening extends lengthwise from at least a medial portion of the shroud to the first end of the plug body so that the forward end of the connector housing and the front face of the plug ferrule are also exposed and accessible through the at least one opening; and a plug body having a shroud proximate a first end thereof, the shroud defining at least one opening, and a fiber optic connector disposed within the plug body and comprising a connector housing and a plug ferrule at least partially disposed within the connector housing, wherein the plug ferrule is mounted within the connector housing such that a front face of the plug ferrule extends beyond a forward end of the connector housing, and wherein the first end of the plug body extends beyond a front face of the plug ferrule; the fiber optic connector is disposed within the plug body such that the forward end of the connector housing as well as the front face of the plug ferrule are exposed and accessible within the shroud via the first end of the plug body, and the at least one opening extends lengthwise from at least a medial portion of the shroud to the first end of the plug body so that the forward end of the connector housing and the front face of the plug ferrule are also exposed and accessible through the at least one opening; and a fiber optic receptacle for mating with the fiber optic plug, the fiber optic receptacle comprising: a receptacle housing defining an internal cavity opening through opposed ends, and an adapter sleeve disposed within the internal cavity defined by the receptacle housing, the adapter sleeve defining a lengthwise extending passage for receiving a portion of the plug ferrule of the fiber optic plug, a receptacle housing defining an internal cavity opening through opposed ends, and an adapter sleeve disposed within the internal cavity defined by the receptacle housing, the adapter sleeve defining a lengthwise extending passage for receiving a portion of the plug ferrule of the fiber optic plug, wherein the shroud of the fiber optic plug and the adapter sleeve of the fiber optic receptacle are sized such that portions of the adapter sleeve are disposed within the at least one opening defined by the shroud once the plug ferrule of the fiber optic plug is inserted into the adapter sleeve.