Getty was commissioned into the 22nd Infantry Regiment, and he did frontier duty from 1878 to 1896. During this time, he participated in the Ute War on 1884 and the Sioux War on 1890 and 1891. Getty also participated in the Spanish–American War, taking part in the Battle of El Caney, the Battle of San Juan Hill, and the Siege of Santiago. He served in the Sanitary Corps and received a Silver Star for his efforts there. After serving in the Philippines from 1900 to 1911, Getty commanded the Recruit Depot at Fort Logan from 1914 to 1917.