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 are rotationally engaged and mated, the first and second rotation locking mechanical interfaces interlock in a snap-fit manner to inhibit the unintentional decoupling of the first and second rotational mechanical interfaces thereby inhibiting relative rotation between the first and second rotational mechanical interfaces . 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 are rotationally engaged and mated, the first and second rotation locking mechanical interfaces interlock in a snap-fit manner to inhibit the unintentional decoupling of the first and second rotational mechanical interfaces thereby inhibiting relative rotation between the first and second rotational mechanical interfaces . <EOS>