Is it appropriate to confront a higher rank when they are blatantly disregarding regs?

Absolutely, when I was at Letterman Army Medical Center we were in the process of running our required mass casuality situation when one of my soldiers came up and asked if the Col's U.S Army and Name Tape were correct. I looked over and informed the PFC that they were on the wrong side. I then told him to go inform the Col. of this. He was scared to death so I walked over with him, we got the commander to the side. I did pave the way for my troop by saying that he had an observation regarding the commanders uniform. He then informed the commander, The commander looked at his tapes, looked back at the PFC and promptly said "shit, I'm going to have a talk to the cleaners." Told the PFC thank you and we went back to work. about 10 minutes later I looked over and his uniform was correct. He then came over to us and said "See I do know how to dress myself." It is just how you do it.

Yes... Here's a story from when I was on the Rock (Okinawa, Japan) with 3/5 Motor T My section was at the Motor Pool doing our Regular routines (Ya know PM's and other Motor T shit) when our SgtMaj showed up not wearing Chevrons on his Cammies and the 1st thing out of my SSgt's mouth was how can I help you Private? lol the SgtMaj. was shocked when he said it and his hands went immediately to his Collar and stayed there while he laughed about it saying he couldn't believe he forgot to put on his Chevrons...then said he would be right back and ran out on the Motor Pool (still hiding his collar) saying he'll be right back...We all got a good laugh out of it and the SgtMaj was glad it was brought to his attention in not a serious way and thanked us all for keeping it quite...

And here's another Story same time period (being on the Rock) I got chewed out for my Two Buddies not being in appropriate Civilian attire (one Cpl. and another a Lance like me) while we were walking to the motor pool no belt and holes in their jeans...Guess who stopped us....Our SgtMaj. he was chewing them out telling them to go back to the Barracks and fix themselves then he turns to me and say SMITH! why didn't you make sure they were Locked On! Why are you walking with two Marines looking like a Cluster Fuck! So yes I got heat for not making sure my fellow Marines were NOT in Proper Civilian attire...Keep that in mind, that you can get flack for allowing someone else to be out of Regs. even when the violator out Ranks you...lol Yes I was known by Name by my SgtMaj...a minor screw up when I 1st got to the unit but from that point on hey knew my name and everyone knows it's a bad thing when they know you by Name lol. He was actually a cool guy but I did get in trouble if someone said I was anywhere in the neighborhood when something went wrong even if I had nothing to do with it...lol

Another time was when I was assigned to Fort Wainwright, Alaska. The Army was transitioning to the black beret at the time and the non-Airborne unit I was assigned to was used to wearing the patrol caps only. I had come from Bragg, so I knew how to wear the beret correctly. On the day of the beret donning ceremony, my 1SG's beret was done to the wrong side. I had noticed it once I got in formation. There was nothing I could do about it being four ranks to my 1SG's rear, so I told my PLT SGT to let him know...which he did. My 1SG gave my PLT SGT charge of the formation and winked at me to say 'thank you' on his way out.

OMG, it looked like she just smeared it on her self. Yes, I would have said to her with all due respect your make up is out of regulations. I was at this store outside of FT. Bragg and there was a 1st SGT in uniform standing there with both hands in his pockets. Right in front of E3'S & SPC'S & I walked up to him and said with all due respect 1st SGT you might want to take your hands out of your pockets you are showing a bad example for the lower enlisted. And he gave me an attitude and said no my hands are not in my pockets. And started to argue and I just walked away.

I braced a USAF General once, for non regulation footwear, while waiting for a plane home.

Troopers keep your mouth shut. Geez. What happened to my Army?

Also be aware there are some very specific regulations for different jobs, such as no wearing your cover on a flight line due to it having a metal button on top and as such could cause a hazard to her engines. I was yelled at by a butter bar lieutenant while on the flightline working because I was not wearing my hat. When I told him about the local regulation he escorted me to squadron Chief Master Sergeant to have me written up. My chief then very politely chewed him a new see as he showed him the local regulation and explained to him he should have read it already in his in processing briefing papers. So know your regs people!

Never walk past mistakes. Be courteous when making on the spot corrections to all ranks. Treat each other with professional courtesy.

Anytime this situation arises and you decide to act on it talk in private.

I reversed my name tag and professional badge. I walk into a squadron the CMS flanks me, and says; " I've got the papers you asked for in my office." I never met the Chief before. He turns me around and whispers "sir your name tag is on the wrong side."