Field Terminable Fiber Optic Connector Assembly

A fiber optic connector assembly includes a connector and a carrier. The connector has a first mating end and a second end and a first optical fiber terminated thereto. The fiber defines a first end adjacent the mating end and a second end protruding from the second end of the connector. A polymeric carrier having a connector end and an oppositely disposed cable end is engaged with the connector. The carrier includes a heat activated meltable portion adjacent the cable end. An alignment structure is disposed on the carrier that includes a first end, a second end, and a throughhole. The first end of the alignment structure is for receiving the second end of the first optical fiber and the second end of the alignment structure is for receiving an end of a second optical fiber entering the cable end of the carrier. The heat activated portion of the carrier is configured to melt and assume a flowable condition when exposed to a predetermined amount of heat and resolidify when the heat is removed for bonding the second optical fiber to the carrier after the first fiber is aligned with the second fiber.