A fiber optic connector assembly (40/42/44) comprising: a connector core having a front plug end positioned opposite from a rear cable attachment end; a fiber optic cable attached to the rear cable attachment end of the connector core, the fiber optic cable including a jacket; an optical fiber structure having a first section routed longitudinally through the jacket of the fiber optic cable and a second section routed through the connector core, the second section defining a fiber tip at the front plug end of the connector core; a shroud (82/84/86/300/403/500) that mounts over the connector core, the shroud (82/84/86/300/403/500) having a front keying end and a rear securement end, the shroud (82/84/86/300/403/500) including a first rotational mechanical interface and a first rotation locking mechanical interface adjacent the rear securement end; and a shroud retainer (26/26a/26b/26c) for retaining the shroud (82/84/86/300/403/500) on the connector core, the shroud retainer (26/26a/26b/26c) mounting over the connector core and including a second rotational mechanical interface and a second rotation locking mechanical interface, wherein the second rotational mechanical interface is adapted to rotationally engage and mate with the first rotational mechanical interface to secure the shroud (82/84/86/300/403/500) and the shroud retainer (26/26a/26b/26c) together, and wherein once the first and second rotational mechanical interfaces (88, 76) are rotationally engaged and mated, the first and second rotation locking mechanical interfaces (79, 78) interlock in a snap-fit manner to inhibit the unintentional decoupling of the first and second rotational mechanical interfaces (88, 76) thereby inhibiting relative rotation between the first and second rotational mechanical interfaces (88, 76). a connector core having a front plug end positioned opposite from a rear cable attachment end; a fiber optic cable attached to the rear cable attachment end of the connector core, the fiber optic cable including a jacket; an optical fiber structure having a first section routed longitudinally through the jacket of the fiber optic cable and a second section routed through the connector core, the second section defining a fiber tip at the front plug end of the connector core; a shroud (82/84/86/300/403/500) that mounts over the connector core, the shroud (82/84/86/300/403/500) having a front keying end and a rear securement end, the shroud (82/84/86/300/403/500) including a first rotational mechanical interface and a first rotation locking mechanical interface adjacent the rear securement end; and a shroud retainer (26/26a/26b/26c) for retaining the shroud (82/84/86/300/403/500) on the connector core, the shroud retainer (26/26a/26b/26c) mounting over the connector core and including a second rotational mechanical interface and a second rotation locking mechanical interface, wherein the second rotational mechanical interface is adapted to rotationally engage and mate with the first rotational mechanical interface to secure the shroud (82/84/86/300/403/500) and the shroud retainer (26/26a/26b/26c) together, and wherein once the first and second rotational mechanical interfaces (88, 76) are rotationally engaged and mated, the first and second rotation locking mechanical interfaces (79, 78) interlock in a snap-fit manner to inhibit the unintentional decoupling of the first and second rotational mechanical interfaces (88, 76) thereby inhibiting relative rotation between the first and second rotational mechanical interfaces (88, 76).