Albert grew up in New Castle, Pennsylvania, where he developed a passion for sports, especially baseball. He graduated from New Castle High School in 1996 and went on to attend Slippery Rock University and Campbell University. In high school, he played varsity baseball and later joined the rugby team at Slippery Rock.

In June 2002, he entered the U.S. Marine Corps at Parris Island, South Carolina. After completing boot camp and the Infantry Training Battalion, he attended Supply and Accounting School. He then served for two years at the School of Infantry Supply Depot at Camp Geiger in Jacksonville, North Carolina. In August 2004, he transferred to an infantry battalion at Camp Lejeune and later deployed for five months to the U.S. Embassy in Kabul, Afghanistan. In September 2005, he deployed to Iraq as a team leader with the 2nd Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force. On January 5, 2006, Albert was killed when his squad was attacked by small arms fire. He was posthumously awarded the Silver Star for his bravery and selflessness.

His legacy lives on through his wife, Stephanie; his extended family, friends, and comrades; the Albert P. Gettings Memorial Foundation; and several buildings, a bridge, and a baseball field named in his honor.